A distribution company has been prosecuted by the council after one of its employees was injured at work.

Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council prosecuted Menzies Distribution Ltd, based in Larkfield, after the employee suffered a fractured arm when he became trapped in an unguarded conveyor belt.

The company had not guarded the conveyor to prevent this type of incident.

Mr Walton, representing Menzies Distribution Ltd, entered a guilty plea at Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court on behalf of the company, and apologised for the accident that occurred on Monday, September 22.

He said the guard had been in place the day before and that this was an isolated incident. The machinery was guarded immediately after it happened.

The court handed down a fine of £4,000 and awarded the borough council full costs of £1,207. The company will also be required to pay a victim surcharge of £120.

Cllr Brian Luker, Tonbridge & Malling Borough council’s cabinet member for environmental services, said: “This accident could so easily have been avoided if the company had implemented a system to ensure checks were carried out on the equipment before it was used.”