A FAREHAM convenience store was fined £250,000 after pleading guilty to health and safety failings.

Fareham Borough Council successfully prosecuted convenience retailer One Stop Ltd after a customer tripped over on a pothole on a garage forecourt on Warsash Road in Warsash last year and sustained serious injuries as a result.

A District Judge at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court handed down the judgement along with a £250,000 fine on Monday.

One Stop were also ordered to pay the council’s costs totalling £3,700.

The ensuing accident investigation carried out by Environmental Health Officers revealed a catalogue of missed opportunities to repair the pothole on the forecourt prior to the accident.

During his judgment, the district judge said that he couldn’t overlook the fact this was not an isolated occurrence.

The pot hole had been reported to the One Stop Ltd on a number of occasions and they failed to repair it.

This failure meant that by the day of the accident the pot hole was of a significant size.

Councillor Trevor Cartwright, executive member for Health and Public Protection, said: “This was a very sad case that resulted in life-changing injuries.

“I really do hope that this judgement sends a firm signal that this Council will deal robustly where serious health and safety failures are not dealt with in a timely manner.”

Since the incident, the forecourt has been completely resurfaced.