A woodworking firm has been fined £3,500 after a court heard how one of its employees was maimed while operating a machine.

Glen Brannon lost the tips of all four fingers and thumb of his right hand while trying to release a piece of wood that was blocking a moulding machine, prosecutor Julian Franklin told Bradford magistrates today.

His employers, Peter Ramsey & Sons (Denholme) Timber Limited, of Sticker Lane, Bradford, admitted breaching Health & Safety at Work regulations and were also ordered to pay £2,629 costs.

Mr Franklin said the accident happened at the Wellington Street sawmills in May last year because the machine was not adequately guarded.

Mr Brannon was able to reach into the machine without being aware that one of the cutters was running.

Andrew Scott, for the firm, said it deeply regretted the injuries to its employee and said that extra guarding had since been fitted.

But the original guarding was what had been supplied with the machine and no-one had anticipated Mr Brannon doing what he did.

Even with the extra guarding, there was still a gap and it may or may not have prevented the accident.

"With the benefit of hindsight one can see how it might have been improved, but the company only just falls below the required standard," said Mr Scott.

Lawyers acting for Mr Brannon said after the hearing that there was no further comment to make as a civil action was being considered.

Speaking to the T&A last June Mr Brannon said: "Everything has changed for me now. I can't work again, tie my own shoelaces or even cut up my food.

"The accident has completely devastated my life and that of my family."

Mr Brannon, of Copgrove Road, Holme Wood, Bradford, had been working at the plant on a casual contract for five months when the accident happened on Friday, May 12, at about 6.30pm.

He said: "I put a piece of wood into the machine for it to cut it up into small pieces and that is the last thing I remember really.

"The next thing I knew my hand was trapped in the machine and I just pulled it out.

"I was in complete agony and thought from the amount of blood I was losing that I was a goner.

"After it happened I just remember running round in a panic trying to get help.

"It was about 20 minutes before an ambulance was called. I think people were just in a panic."

Mr Brannon had emergency surgery and spent time in the intensive care unit at the hospital.

He has diabetes and can no longer inject himself with insulin.

He said: "My wife now has to do it for me and that puts serious limitations on her life and her ability to carry on working.

"People are staring a lot. It's very upsetting and difficult to get used to."