A construction firm employee from Beckenham covered up a catastrophic blockage which had caused the death of a dry cleaner from carbon monoxide poisoning, a jury at the Old Bailey heard today.

Keith Morris, 67, of Ackland House, Beckenham Road, is on trial for manslaughter after Muhammad Javid Butt was found dead in the basement of the dry cleaning business he ran on October 5, 2013.

Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson told the court: “At the time of his death there were building works taking place.

“A steam-generating boiler which he used to press clothes had a flue which went up the back of the premises at Wandsworth Road.

“That flue should have expelled carbon monoxide generated by the boiler.

“After Muhammad Butt’s death it was found that the flue to the boiler had been significantly blocked.”

The court heard scaffolding had been erected and debris had fallen and blocked the flue.

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Mr Atkinson added: “It was found that someone had returned to the scene and cut the flue so as to create a gap between the flue and the scaffolding which had not been there when Muhammad died.

“Keith Morris was that person.

“He had tried to cut the gap after the event to make it look like it had not been blocked.”

Keith Morris is standing trial for manslaughter and failure of an employee to ensure the health, safety and welfare of other persons.

The owner of the property at 198 Wandsworth Road, Caroline Whalley, 59, of Rape Close Lane, Gilling East, York, is charged with failure to ensure arrangements for the management of works.

Morden-based construction firm 6699 Limited have pleaded guilty to failure to plan, manage and monitor works.

The trial continues.