A CIVIL engineer who worked on the world trade centre has given evidence at a fatal accident inquiry into the death of a Glasgow schoolboy. 

Professor John Knapton, who has worked on civil engineering projects across the world, was speaking at the inquiry into the death of Ciaran Williamson.

Ciaran died tragically when a gravestone fell on him at Craigton Cemetery on May 26,2015. 

The inquiry aims to find out if any reasonable precauations could have been taken to prevent his death. 

Professor Knapton, who was brought before the court as a witness on behalf of Ciaran's family, told the court of his experience working in Scotland, America, Australia and Colombia. 

He also worked with the National Association of Memorial masons between 1993 and 1997.

He said during that time there had been three fatal accidents involving gravestones falling on top of people, in 1993, 95 and 96. 

Prior to his evidence, Mark Stewart QC, representing Glasgow City Council, raised concerns about the relevance of Mr Knapton's report submitted to the court. 

He questioned his experience on risk assessments in graveyards, and said his report's conclusion was in parts "inadmissible and wrong".

Mr Stewart said: "He offers conclusions about the systems of safety management which he has no authority interns of expertise to offer."

Dorothy Bain QC, representing Ciaran's mother Stephanie Griffin, argued that Mr Knapton's experience as a civil engineer and particularly his work on forces being exerted on gravestones, made his evidence relevant. 

Sheriff Linda Ruxton said her previous experience in fatal accident inquiries has presented issues with expert witnesses such as this.

She said: The problem with expert evidence is that things have changed slightly. It is always the situation where things have to be made clear to the expert what the court has heard.

" I need to be careful that I am not taking expert evidence which is at odds with what I have heard." 

After around an hour of debate, it was agreed Professor Knapton would give evidence, speaking about his experience working with certain types of memorials and the forced exerted on them.

The inquiry before Sheriff Ruxton continues.