Three farmers have been ordered to pay hefty fines after a farmworker was severely injured when he was run over by a tractor which had a faulty handbrake.

Derek Benney, Richard Benney and Roger Benney, of FH Benney and Sons, were prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) following the incident at their farm Higher Nansloe, near Helston, in September 2010. They were fined £7,500 and ordered to pay £9,000 in costs at Truro Magistrates' Court.

The court heard that Colin Jenkin, 55, of Wendron, was spreading manure on a field when he got out to open a gate. The tractor, which was parked on a slope, began to roll forward and ran over him.

Mr Jenkin suffered multiple injuries including seven broken ribs, crush injuries to his back and permanent damage to his eye socket.

Despite being unable to see, he was able to find his mobile phone and call for help.

He has been unable to work since the incident.

An HSE investigation found that the handbrake on the tractor had failed and had not been maintained properly.

Each pleaded guilty to a breach of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment regulations. Derek Benney, of Higher Nansloe Farm, was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay £3,000 costs. Richard Benney, also of Higher Nansloe Farm, was fined £3,500 and ordered to pay £3,000 costs. Roger Benney, of Higher Goonhusband Farm, Helston, was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay £3,000 costs.