A construction company based in Portsmouth has been prosecuted, after falling masonry struck and injured a member of the public.

The twenty nine year old male passer-by, who has asked not to be named, was walking along High Street in Camberley, Surrey, when he was hit by a piece of masonry weighing around eight kilogram’s, which had been dislodged as builders carried out refurbishment work above shops in the area.

The falling piece of debris knocked the pedestrian to the floor as it struck his shoulder, causing cuts and bruising which later led to him experiencing muscle spasms.

Guildford Magistrates’ Court was told that Majestic Construction Limited, who had been undertaking the refurbishment work, had been using a mobile elevating working platform (MEWP), which was correct for the job but struck the side of the building as it was being manoeuvred, causing a chunk of masonry to fall towards the ground.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation into the incident, revealed that barriers were being used but some were being moved further along the street, this allowed pedestrians to walk directly below the area were overhead work was being carried out.

Majestic Construction Limited, of Western Road, in Portsmouth, pleaded guilty to a breach of the Work at Height Regulations and was fined £8,000.

The DIY giant B&Q has been prosecuted and fined, after a four year old girl was injured at a store in Oldham.

The Manchester Gazette is reporting that the four year old was with her family at the store in Westhulme Way, Oldham, when part of a bathroom display consisting of a hand basin and worktop, collapsed on top or her as her mother chatted to a sales assistant.

The youngster was taken to hospital where she received treatment for bruised ribs and various cuts and bruises but has since made a full recovery from her ordeal.

An investigation into the incident by Oldham Council’s Environmental Health Department revealed that the bathroom unit had been fitted into the display, without using the necessary fixings required, which allowed the girl to pull the unit on top of her.

B&Q PLC was prosecuted by the council and fined £15,000 after admitting a breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act, at Oldham Magistrates Court.

A spokesperson from the council stated that all businesses had a duty of care, to protect members of the public who visited their premises, adding that Oldham Council would not fail to prosecute if a law had been broken.

A young hairdresser, who suffered facial scarring after a boating trip on the River Bann, has been awarded £55,000 in personal injury compensation.

Twenty three year old Sinead McGlinchey was attending a surprise barbeque party in Newferry and was invited onto the boat along with four of her friends, for a trip towards Portglenone.

The High Court heard that on the return journey the boats owner began performing circles in the water and rapidly changing direction, which Ms McGlinchey claims flung her out of her seat.

Ms McGlinchey, collided face first with part of the boats structure suffering cuts to her forehead and nose, which have left scarring, as well as an injury to her neck.

The hairdresser who had planned on going to Tenerife to find work, launched a claim for compensation against the boats owner and was awarded £55,000 in damages, which included £40,000 for the scarring and a further £15,000 for the nasal fracture she received and her neck injury.

During the hearing the court declared that the driver of the sleek and sporty looking Tige R22 boat had a duty of care to his passengers, which on this occasion had been breached.