Alan ButlerA BUILDER'S only hope of keeping his home is to reach an agreement with the man who lost an eye because of his work.

As reported in yesterday's Adver, a court has ordered father-of-three Alan Butler to pay Raymond James £44,525 after part of the conservatory Mr Butler was building hit him in the eye.

Brigitte Chandler, of Charles Lucas and Marshall in Old Town, said that unless the pair can reach an agreement to make the payment in instalments, Mr Butler may have to sell his home.

Mr Butler, 34, of Tinkers Field, Wootton Bassett, said he thought that there was little chance of the pair reaching a deal.

"I don't think he's that reasonable," he said. "I thought I knew him but I obviously don't.

"I didn't have a clue he was going to do this and take me to court. I still have no idea what I can do.

"I'm going to see my solicitor next week to see what I can do.

"But I don't think I could pay that amount in 14 years let alone 14 days."

Ms Chandler said: "Obviously if he has not got insurance he has to find assets from somewhere else and he will probably have to sell his house. It depends on Mr James now. He has the upper hand. "Usually a judgement is payment within 14 days. If you don't pay within 14 days then it's up to Mr Butler to make proposals as to how he can pay it and then it's up to Mr James. If Mr Butler doesn't pay and they can't agree on an arrange-ment then the victim can bring enforcement proceedings.

"There are a number of ways these can be implemented. One is bankruptcy where a trustee is appointed to take the assets.

"Another is a charging order which means you can ask for the property to be sold.

"Or he could get what's called an attachment of earnings.

"This is where if somebody is in employment you get an order from the court to take money off them each week.

"Another way is that the bailiffs could be sent in to take any assets like cars but with this amount of money it is most likely to be the house."

Ms Chandler said the case highlighted the need for insurance.

She said: "Really he has done someone a favour and it's cost him his house. The trouble is this man has lost his eye which is a terrible thing as well.

"It's a sad story and it shows the importance of insurance."

Mr James, who underwent an operation to sew his eye together with 16 stitches, said that he thought the payment was fair.

Gareth Bethell