Tree surgeon sentenced for health and safety offence after young worker lost part of a leg

A tree surgeon has been sentenced for a health and safety offence after his young worker lost part of a leg in a horrific accident.Stephen Milloy, then aged 22, suffered severe injuries when his trousers became entangled in a machine he was using to remove a tree stump.The incident in Cypress Avenue, East Kilbride, led to Christopher King admitting a charge under health and safety legislation.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android Self-employed King, 41, of Gibbon Crescent, East Kilbride, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court this week.He was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid community work within the next year.Sheriff John Speir decided against a financial penalty after expressing concern at King's ability to pay and the viability of his business.The accident happened on July 4, 2019, but the court heard that despite his horrendous ordeal Mr Milloy remains friends with King and has continued to work for him.He has not sued for compensation and attended court to lend support to the accused who trades as All About Trees.The court was told that Mr Milloy had been tasked with removing a tree stump from a garden where landscaping work was to take place.He used a machine called a stump grinder but put it down in order to clear away some bricks.The machine should have switched off automatically when not