A Beckenham builder who covered up a blockage which caused the death of a dry cleaner from carbon monoxide poisoning has been found not guilty of manslaughter.

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

Building works had been underway at the time of Mr Butt's death, debris from which was thought to have blocked a steam-generating boiler used at the dry-cleaning business, causing a build-up of carbon monoxide.

Mr Morris pleaded guilty to failure of an employee to ensure the health, safety and welfare of other persons on April 29.

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He was found not guilty by direction of the judge on the count of manslaughter on the same day after the judge discharged the jury from returning a verdict.

Morden-based building contractor 6699 Limited pleaded guilty to failure to plan, manage and monitor works at the beginning of the trial.

Mr Morris and 6699 Limited will be sentenced on May 31.

Charges were dropped against the owner of the property in Wandsworth Road, south-west London.

Caroline Whalley, 59, from York, had been on trial for failure to ensure arrangements for the management of works.