AUCTIONEER Andrew Grant has pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety regulations after a Kidderminster man shot off the end of a finger while examining a starting pistol.

Grant, of Cheltenham, was committed to Worcester Crown Court for sentence after city magistrates decided they had insufficient powers to deal with the case.

While visiting Andrew Grant Fine Art's auction room in Worcester in December, 2001, Jonathan Phipps accidentally shot off the end of the middle finger of his left hand. He had been examining a Reck starting pistol.

Mr Phipps has since undergone extensive skin grafts and surgery.

As sole proprietor of Andrew Grant Fine Art, Grant, 58, pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Prosecuting, Barry Berlin said confusion about health and safety requirements at the auction room was "endemic" and that Mr Grant had failed to discharge his "clear" health and safety duties. But he added the business had now put in place several measures to rectify its procedures.

Grant was committed on unconditional bail to appear at Worcester Crown Court on Friday, May 30.

Defence barrister Graham Cliff told the court that Grant had good reason to believe that Adrian Mackwell - the manager in charge at the time - was competent to deal with health and safety issues relating to replica firearms.

Mr Mackwell was responsible for health and safety issues at Andrew Grant Fine Art at St Mark's Close and was the holder of a shotgun licence.

Mr Cliff said: "Worcester City Council has confirmed that it is now happy with the health and safety procedures in force within the Andrew Grant organisation.

"Mr Grant is extremely sorry that Mr Phipps sustained this injury as a result of this isolated lapse in procedure."