A FIRM has been fined £15,000 for an accident that left a worker disabled.

John Howard, 51, was "shot" through the right leg by a 2in piece of metal that exploded from a machine during a valve pressure test.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the assembly line fitter had been working at Anson Ltd, at Team Valley Trading Estate, Gateshead, for three months, with only a day's formal training and two weeks on-the-job training.

Married Mr Howard, of Melrose, Washington, Wearside, has since needed eight operations to fit a metal rod and metal plate, as well as skin grafts. He is currently in hospital fighting an infection to the wound.

The court heard that while Mr Howard tried to release pressure with a wrench last year, the system exploded.

The court was told the firm had an unblemished safety record. Engineers have since designed and installed a new fool-proof testing system, and had co-operated with the Health and Safety Executive.

Anson Ltd, which employs 210 people, pleaded guilty to section 2:1 of the Health and Safety at Work Act, in failing to ensure the safety of a worker. Itwas also ordered to pay £5,150 costs.