A BUSINESS owner has been fined after a butcher was left with life-changing injuries after his hand was caught in a mincing machine.

Nadeem Qasim, 47, ignored repeated warnings about a faulty meat mincer before Asif Nazir severed a thumb and finger, Preston Crown Court heard.

Prosecutors described Mr Nazir's injuries as 'catastrophic'.

Qasim, the owner of Maria’s Butcher, located within Maria’s Cash and Carry in Bradley Road, Nelson even went to Pakistan knowing of the issue with the machine, the court was told.

In October 2015, prosecutors said Mr Nazir put his hand in the powered-off machine to clear the meat inside but it turned itself back on and amputated his right thumb, index finger and the tip of his middle finger. He also suffered lacerations to his middle finger.

Qasim admitted two health and safety failings, in that he breached his duty to an employee as an employer.

He was sentenced to five months imprisonment, suspended for five months, ordered to pay a £3,500 fine and £2,500 costs.

Judge Philip Parry also ordered him to pay a £150 victim surcharge.

Sentencing Qasim, of Sackville Street in Brierfield, Judge Parry, said: “The machine’s guard was damaged to the point it was blatantly obvious that the blade was exposed.

“Also the on/off switch was not working.

"Both in combination demonstrate how you completely abandoned your health and safety responsibilities.

“Sadly a catastrophic injury occurred. You were in Pakistan in September 2015 but before you went Mr Nazir told you again that the machine was faulty in two respects.

“Yet again you did nothing to fix it.

“On 29 October, 2015, Mr Nazir turned the machine off and put his hand in the machine to clear meat out.

“The machine switched itself back on and his hand went through the mincer, amputating his right thumb, his right index finger and partially amputating the tip of the middle finger.

“Mr Nazir is right handed, making this injury all the more tragic.”

Following the incident Mr Nazir spent a week in hospital and had to undergo plastic surgery.

Bosses at Pendle Council who brought the prosecution said he had been left unable to fully interact with his children and could not return to work as a butcher.

Philip Mousdale, Pendle Council’s corporate director, said: “Mr Qasim acted with total disregard for his employees, putting profit before safety.

“Please let this be a warning to others that turning a blind eye to health and safety can have catastrophic consequences.”

Cllr Mohammed Iqbal, leader of Pendle Council, said: “Employers should make sure that the safety of their employees is of the highest importance.

“Employers should make sure their equipment is up to standard so this never happens again.”