A MAN has been cleared of killing his Monmouthshire brother-in-law by hitting him on the head with a mechanical digger’s metal bucket.

Philip Parry, 51, had denied one count of manslaughter against Grosmont man Adrian Andrews in October 2012.

At the time, Parry was employing Mr Andrews as a sub-contractor to help connect a property to a septic tank on the Whitfield estate in Herefordshire.

Judge Andrew Popplewell ordered a not guilty verdict at Birmingham Crown Court on July 17 after concluding there was no case to answer on the count of manslaughter.

But Parry admitted a health and safety breach and was given a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

He was also ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and put on a four-month curfew.