A loft conversion boss denied manslaughter yesterday after a 16-year-old boy died when he fell from a roof.

Alfie Perrin slipped from scaffolding erected in Camden Road, Wanstead, on November 14 2012 where his employer Roof Top Rooms Ltd was completing an extension.

Alfie, from Enfield, was treated at the scene but later died from a catastrophic head injury at Wanstead Hospital in Makepeace Road.

Sarah Hipperston, owner of the property, said at the time of the accident Alfie had been throwing bags of waste into a skip in the road.

Site supervisor Andrew Voy, 35, was charged with manslaughter following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive for allegedly failing to ensure there were no gaps in the safety railings.

Voy denied one charge of manslaughter at Snaresbrook Crown Court, while Roof Top homes denied two charges of breaching the Health and Safety Act 1974 on behalf of Roof Top Rooms.

Company directors Gary Allison, 39, and Gary Smith also appeared in the dock charged with breaching health and safety regulations, but did not enter pleas.

Voy, Allison and Smith were all granted unconditional bail until the next hearing.

Several members of the victim's family were seated in the public gallery, as well as officers from the Health and Safety Executive.  

Following his death, Alfie's family started a campaign to raise funds for the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) that cared for him after the accident.

They wrote: 'In thanks to the HEMS team who attended to Alfie, we would like Alfie's passing to help with the continuation of this amazing service with donations big or small.

"It is a small thank you on behalf of Alfie's family and friends and will be a lasting legacy in Alfie's memory."

Enfield-based Roof Top Rooms and Voy, of Memorial Avenue, West Ham, will stand trial on March 16 this year alongside Smith and Allison.