Street butcher fined after boy loses hand in mincing machine Published duration 21 January 2015

image copyright Google image caption The boy's hand had to be amputated at the scene as a result of the accident

A butcher has been fined £3,000 after a teenage apprentice's hand was chopped off in a mincing machine.

The 16-year-old boy's right hand had to be amputated in the shop after it became trapped in the machine, which was being used without a guard.

Paul Jeffery of P&K Meats in Street, Somerset, had previously pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the health and safety of his staff at work.

Yeovil magistrates also ordered Mr Jeffery to pay £12,104.76 costs.

When the mincing machine was removed and examined following the incident in July 2013, Mendip District Council environmental health officers found it was being used without a guard or restrictor plate and "would have exposed any user to risk of harm".

After sentencing, Stuart Cave, from the council, said: "This was a horrific accident in which a young man received life-changing injuries.

"The accident could have been avoided had the necessary safety equipment been used."