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DAFT Keith Sanderson lost the end of his thumb in a guillotine at work — then chopped off a finger showing his boss how he did it.

His supervisor had run over and asked what happened when the 25-year-old workman screamed as the automated machine sliced through his thumb.

Keith put his other hand in, severing half his index finger.

Surgeons repaired his thumb, but could not save the other digit.

Magistrates heard Keith is still off work five months after the accident at Macy Panel Products in Newcastle upon Tyne, which makes kitchen work surfaces.

Prosecutor Dr Stephen Britton explained: “Mr Sanderson had probably fiddled with the controls. He decided to investigate and touched a sensor with his hand, with the result that the guillotine activated.

“When asked what he had done, he thrust his other hand into the machine.”

Paul Nelson, a director at the firm which employs 20 workers, told North Tyneside court: “The first incident caused little damage to Keith’s thumb.

“After a couple of days in a plaster he would probably have been able to return.

“But unfortunately the second incident caused him great discomfort and now he has only nine and a half digits.

“He is still employed by us but is convalescing.”

He added: “Although the circumstances are a little baffling, ultimately we have to accept responsibility.”

The firm admitted failing to take effective measures to prevent access to dangerous equipment and was fined £1,500 plus £970 costs.

A neighbour of Keith in North Shields said after the case: “He was in a lot of pain.

“He realises it wasn’t the smartest thing to do but he has to live with the consequences now.”