'SHATTERED' AGIS APOLOGISES FOR SUFFERING.

DREAMSPACE artist Maurice Agis apologised for the suffering caused by the disaster and said he continued to be haunted by the memories of what happened.

The pensioner (pictured, above) vowed after the tragedy he would never again exhibit the unique PVC structure he had developed over more than two decades.

"It is almost three years since the accident in Chester-le-Street in which two people lost their lives and a number of people were injured," he said in a statement issued through his solicitor yesterday.

"The memories of that day fill me with a profound sadness. I continue to be consumed by the tragedy of this event, the suffering of all those affected and the grief and pain they must continue to feel.

"Never for one moment have I ever thought that Dreamspace posed a risk to life.

"I am truly sorry that my Dreamspace artwork, designed to bring joy, pleasure and happiness into people's lives, could also be the source of such pain."

Timothy Langdale, QC, defending, said it was accepted Agis should have sought engineering advice to ensure a safe anchorage system was in place but it was not a case of "putting profit before safety". He also said Agis had always accepted he was the person in charge of the structure and did not seek to blame anyone else for what happened.

Mr Langdale said Agis was a "serious, committed and genuine" artist evidenced by the character references handed into the court on his behalf.

He said the stress of the tragedy and the subsequent investigation and criminal proceedings had taken its toll on Agis' health.

"This tragedy is going to live with him for the rest of his life," he said.

"He was shattered on the day and he has been shattered ever since.

"Not a day goes by without him remembering at some time the tragedy and his regret for his part in it."