A LABOURER at a Hampshire horticultural firm was left with a serious hand injuries after it got stuck in an unguarded machine, a court heard.

The company has been ordered to pay £3,000 in fines and costs after Edmund Skweres was hurt as he tried to clear waste around the jaws of a root packing machine.

The 52-year-old was left unable to work for a month after suffering a deep cut that needed 11 stitches.

A metal drive wheel sliced into his right hand as it was trapped against a guide rail on the mechanical equipment, used to compress compost.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found there should have been guarding in place to stop body parts coming into contact with moving sections of the root packer.

But inspectors discovered that machine, and five similar ones at AE Roberts (Fruitgrower & Nurseryman) Ltd, in Gravel Hill, Shirrell Heath, all lacked the safety features.

Magistrates at Fareham fined the company £1,000 and ordered it to pay £2,000 after it pleaded guilty to breaching work equipment regulations in relation to the incident, which happened on February 7 last year.