A FARMER has admitted breaching a duty of care to an employee who fell to his death through a farm roof.

John Binning, of Great Park Farm, Besselsleigh, near Abingdon, was facing a charge of manslaughter, which has now been dropped, in relation to the incident on October 18, 2012.

The 65-year-old instead admitted a lesser charge of breaching duty of care as an employer.

His son James Binning, 27, of Binnings Farm, Besselsleigh, also had a charge of manslaughter against him dropped at Oxford Crown Court yesterday.

Former army Sergeant Major Dean Henderson-Smith, 46, of High Street, Long Wittenham, died while working at Great Park Farm.

The Iraq and Afghanistan veteran was flown to Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital by air ambulance but was declared dead.

A joint investigation was launched by police and the health and safety executive.

Binning is due to be sentenced today at the crown court.

He was released on bail.