The company which publishes The Argus has been fined £6,000 after a member of staff was injured at work.

Newsquest (Sussex), based at Crowhurst Road, Hollingbury, Brighton, was also ordered to pay £4,700 costs by Brighton magistrates yesterday.

The court heard John Donovan, a leading reel hand, was crushed between a barrier and a reel of paper in an accident in September 2001.

Mr Donovan, who still works for the company, needed three weeks off work to recover from his injuries.

Howard Scott, managing director of the company, which was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), admitted an offence under the Health and Safety at Work Act of failing to provide and maintain a safe system of work.

Stephen Thomas, prosecuting, said the accident happened when a reel of printing paper, weighing up to 650kg, became stuck in a lift machine. Mr Donovan freed the reel and it continued moving along a conveyor belt.

But Mr Donovan slipped and was caught between a railing, which acted as a barrier, and the reel of paper.

After the accident Mr Donovan continued to work but two days later he had to go home early because of the pain he was suffering and later went to his GP.

An accident form was filled in but the company failed to inform the HSE a member of staff had been injured at work. The incident only came to light ten months later during a routine visit by an HSE inspector in July last year.

Paddy Roache, defending, said the company, which has no previous convictions for breaching health and safety regulations, took the incident seriously. It had an impeccable safety record.

Mr Donovan had not suffered any long-term injuries. Improved safety procedures were now in place, a new health and safety manager had been appointed and staff training revised. The accident was not reported to the HSE because of an omission, not deliberate concealment.