Campaigners today called for tougher penalties for bosses who flout health and safety regulations after two brothers, who admitted employing schoolboys to strip asbestos at a Yeadon factory, walked free from Court.

They want Yorkshire MPs to help push for more stringent punishments and their local MP Paul Truswell has backed the campaign.

Last Friday Neil and Andrew Medley, former directors of Guiseley-based Medley's Ltd which went into liquidation in 1996, were ordered to do community service after admitting they allowed the firm to carry out asbestos removal work without a licence.

The offence carries a maximum two-year prison sentence but Judge John Cockroft, sentencing at Leeds Crown Court, said it would be ''intellectually dishonest'' to jail them for a ''lesser offence'' when the law only allowed him to fine them for employing the two 15-year-olds and one 14-year-old, which he considered more serious.

But had the offence carried a jail sentence it would have been imposed, he said.

Neil Medley had also admitted three other asbestos-related offences - none of which carry jail sentences - including carrying out work at Yeadon which exposed employees to asbestos.

Mick Williams, health and safety project manager for the Keighley Trades Union Council - part of the anti-asbestos Hazards Campaign - said: "We're seeking an urgent meeting with the Yorkshire group of MPs and want the regulations amended so people can be jailed.''

Margaret Sharkey, safety research officer for the construction union Ucatt, said: "There are about 4,000 asbestos-related deaths a year but people are still being exposed to it at work and until the penalties are toughened it won't be taken seriously.''

Mr Truswell, whose Pudsey, Aireborough and Horsforth constituency covers Yeadon, said: "When the campaigners make contact with the Yorkshire MPs I'm sure they'll receive a sympathetic and supportive hearing and no doubt we'll be lobbying the Government along the lines they're requesting.

"There must be much more stringent penalties available to the courts when dealing with people acting in a cavalier manner in relation to asbestos.

"When young people are employed illegally in dangerous occupations there may be occasions when the courts should have the opportunity to impose far more severe penalties.''

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