THE father of a 28-year-old man who fell to his death paragliding in Argentina has said the conviction of the pilot still does "not provide justice" for his son.

David Mather, from Bishopton, Stockton, fell 200ft to his death in front of his brother, Gareth, on New Year's Eve, 2008.

The pilot, Mariano Poots, and the paragliding firm's owner, Mariana Farjat, were both found guilty of culpable homicide in an Argentine court on Friday, November 21.

The judge gave both a suspended sentence for three years, which means they will not have to go to jail. However both were ordered to pay 400,000 pesos, or £20,000 each in damages with interest.

A third person accused was exonerated, a decision supported by Mr Mather's family.

Mr Mather's father, Ian, who with his family and David's friends has established a charity in his son's name, said justice had not been done.

He said: "Whilst the sentences given are seen as a victory here, they do not in any way provide justice for our son, David.

"The extreme negligence displayed by the company and the pilot are not recognised in law here. These sentences do not equal David's loss of life, or the pain our family has had to live through for the last six years.

"We will continue to pursue these people. This is a big step for us as a family and has been hard won. We will fight on."

Mr Mather, former acting principal at Freebrough College in Brotton, east Cleveland, and David's mother, Ceri, believe their son's harness was unfastened by a member of staff shortly before the flight. They claim the pilot then failed to check David was secure. Unable to cling on, David fell hundreds of feet into a garden, dying instantly, while his brother and a friend looked on.

The Mathers have contributed to a report from a group of MPs investigating the perceived failures of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to support families abroad.

Their charity, The David Mather Foundation, helps young people from Salta, the city close to where Mr Mather died, improve their education.