An employer has been jailed following his failure to pay accident compensation to one of his employees who suffered a severe workplace injury.
The male worker was employed by an individual fireworks display organiser in 2008, when the accident happened. He was working at a display when a professional grade mortar firework exploded directly into the employee's face.
Following the accident the man was left blind in one eye, and with serious injuries to his face and other eye. He was forced to endure 19 separate reconstructive surgical procedures, and remains unable to go back to work.
Medical experts say that it takes the brain five years to adapt to seeing out of just one eye.
His employer was found guilty of breaching health and safety regulations and using false insurance certificates and was ordered to pay him compensation of £5,000.
The employer was also handed a 36 week prison sentence, which was to be suspended for two years if he made regular payments towards the compensation amount.
However, payments were missed and he breached the agreement by failing to appear in court. He has been sentenced to 88 days in prison.
The employee is also seeking compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.