Officers workers took pictures and reported the roofer Pic: Manchester Evening News

A Preston roofer has been criticised by a judge for a moment of ‘breathtaking stupidity’.

David Mulholland, 25, was working on a new hotel in Manchester city centre when he was snapped performing the stunt – 90 feet in the air.

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Officer workers took pictures of the roofer during a wet day in January last year and contacted the Health and Safety Executive.

Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard Mulholland, of Victoria Road, Walton-le-Dale, didn’t realise how dangerous the act was until he saw the picture.

The Manchester Evening News reported the court heard how the building project was three weeks behind and instead of asking the site to be made safe Mulholland went ahead to try and get the job done quicker.

This picture gives a clearer idea of the height Mulholland was working at Pic: Manchester Evening News

District judge Nicholas Sanders said: “What you were doing was breathtakingly stupid. It defies description that you should be doing what you were doing without any protective measures. You chose to turn a blind eye to the fairly obvious risks that existed.

“The only person who was really put at risk in this case was you.”

Mulholland pleaded guilty to one charge of contravening a health and safety regulation.

He was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for 18 months and fined £1,400. He must also pay costs of £2,939.18 and a victim surcharge of £85.

HSE inspector Matt Greenly told the MEN: “It is a matter of pure luck that no-one was injured or killed by working at height in the manner seen in this image provided by a member of the public.

“I would like to thank the person who reported their concern to us as they have been instrumental in saving the lives of Mr Mulholland and arguably anyone below him at that time.”