Exercise man broke neck

A Stafford leisure company has pleaded guilty to health and safety breaches which resulted in a customer breaking his neck after an exercise bike broke.

Information technology worker Steven McHugh, from Derrington, was taking part in a spinning class at Stafford Sports Arena in Queen’s Retail Park, on August 1 last year when the handlebars came off and he flew forward and hit his head on the seat of the bike in front.

The managing company, Sparena Leisure Ltd was in Stafford Magistrates Court yesterday facing the charge of failing to conduct its undertakings in such a way as to ensure people are not exposed to risks to their health and safety.

The company admitted liability and now faces the prospect of an unlimited fine.Mr Simon Turner, prosecuting the case for the borough council’s health and safety department, said: “The man involved actually broke his neck. The accounts of the company will be presented at the next hearing and negotiations will take place to agree certain issues in the case.

“One matter discussed will be whether or not the sentencing is carried out here in the magistrates court where there is an upper limit of £20,000 or whether it will go to the Crown where there is an unlimited fine.”

Mr McHugh has not made a full recovery from his injuries and is still awaiting an operation to improve his condition.

He was taking part in an evening class and was on an Instyle v600 stationery exercise bike model known as an aero cycle and the incident happened at 7.50pm. The instructor and participants were believed to have been simulating a hill climb at the time the handlebars came off.

Mr McHugh fractured a vertebra and had to wear a neck brace for 10 months.

The prosecution has been brought under the Health and Safety at Work Act, 1974 which makes employers responsible under what is commonly referred to as the duty of care clause.

Speaking after the hearing, Mark Owen defending said: “The guilty plea has been entered and we will now proceed with drawing up a set of agreements. These will be negotiated with the council.”

The case will go before magistrates again on November 8 at 2pm. They will then decide whether to send it to the crown courts where the company could face an unlimited fine.

Sparena trades as Stafford Sports Arena and has been operating for 17 years from two indoor centres in Stafford and in Wolverhampton.