A timber yard has been fined GBP100,000 (USD168,400) after an unlicensed forklift driver accidentally killed a motorist in 1997.

Omar Akhtar, 20, was impaled by a forklift that swung onto the road as he drove past Moores Timber. The accident happened after the yard's director, Paul Broadbent, had ignored many official safety warnings, a report in The Sun said.

The forklift driver had no licence, and was driving the wrong way down a one-way street. None of his workmates had any safety training.

A Manchester court this month ordered the fine against Moores, which is now in liquidation, for several breaches of safety laws, and fined Mr Broadbent GBP5,000 (USD8,420). The case led to a complete change in HSE procedures. Yet the fine on the firm may never be paid - as the firm's managing director is thought to live abroad on his yacht.