A man accused of running a dangerous building site was not in charge of the workers, a neighbour told a Bradford Crown Court jury yesterday.

Shah Nawaz Pola, 35, is alleged to have been in charge of building works at a house on Allerton Road when a migrant worker suffered near fatal injuries in an accident.

But Albert Hawkridge who lives next door to where the work was taking place said that it was a Mr Shah who was overseeing the construction of a three-storey extension.

Giving evidence Mr Hawkridge told the jury that Pola had introduced him to Mr Shah and said that he was in charge.

"He (Pola) introduced me to Mr Shah and he designated him as in charge of the property or of the works," Mr Hawkridge said.

Under questioning from Pola's barrister, Paul Greaney, he added: "Mr Shah was in charge of the undertaking and he employed all the workers."

The trial has been told that Dusan Dudi suffered serious injuries when he was hit on the head by a falling stone lintel in November 2005 and has been left with permanent disabilities.

Pola, of Springcliffe Street, Heaton, is alleged to have been in overall charge of the site but has pleaded not guilty to breaches of the Health and Safety Act. The trial continues.