A COMPANY was yesterday (Wednesday) ordered to pay �100,000 after a devoted young father was electrocuted while fixing a washing machine. SF(UK), the engineering arm of British Gas, faced sentence after admitting breaching health and safety law. Ricky Cr

A COMPANY was yesterday (Wednesday) ordered to pay �100,000 after a devoted young father was electrocuted while fixing a washing machine.

SF(UK), the engineering arm of British Gas, faced sentence after admitting breaching health and safety law.

Ricky Cronin, 30, of Astwick Avenue, Hatfield, died in June 2005 in his fifth week of being a British Gas engineer.

Judge Stephen Warner at St Albans Crown Court fined SF(UK) �35,000 with court costs of �65,000.

* A detailed court report and reaction from Mr Cronin's family will be in next Wednesday's Welwyn and Hatfield Times.