Pub's £10,000 fine
News article
Statement of Accounts
Mitchells and Butler were fined £10,000 with £4,248 costs at Blackpool Magistrates Court after breaching health and safety laws in an incident that left a three-year-old boy with electrical burns to his hand.
The incident happened at the Kingfisher Public House in Kirkham in March 2009, when the parent of the child was placing an order at the bar.
When the mother’s three-year-old son placed his hand under the recess of the bar his hand came into contact with a live electrical cable that originated from a light fitting.
The magistrates heard that he had to go to Blackpool Victoria Hospital after suffered an electric shock and burns to his hand.
The court heard how Mitchells and Butler had failed in their statutory duty to protect members of the public when visiting their premises. In sentencing, magistrates took into account that the company had pleaded guilty and fully cooperated with Fylde Council during its investigations into the incident.
Stuart Handley, the council’s former Commercial and Licensing Manager, who led the investigation said, “Thankfully the child is has made a full recovery as this could have quite easily resulted in a fatality.”
He went on to warn businesses that the danger from electrical wiring should not be underestimated.
He said: “The court has taken a very serious view of the incident and this is obviously reflected in the high fine and costs imposed on the company.
“The council is committed to ensuring that businesses take adequate steps to protect their staff, contractors and the public from harm or injury and will take appropriate action where breaches are found.”
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