A judge has fined Medway Council £75,000 after a council lost two fingers while mowing a golf course.

Donald Brown's fingers became entangled in a mower as he investigated a suspected oil leak at Deangate Ridge Golf Club, Hoo in September 2006.

Maidstone Crown Court heard a safety switch, if working properly, should have prevented the cylinder from mechanically rotating when lifted off the ground.

Mr Brown, who had received no maintenance training, had to have the two fingers on his right hand amputated at the knuckles.

Judge David Griffith-Jones QC said: "From the various failures it is quite clear that any number of different types of accident were waiting to happen."

~ Read the full report at medwaymessenger.co.uk >>>