A golf club has been ordered to pay out more than £12,000 after a worker was badly hurt when a buggy crashed.

The case was brought about following a Sevenoaks District Council investigation and the Darenth Valley Golf Course pleaded guilty to the offence at Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

The company was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay the council's costs of £2,000 plus £120 to help victim support services.

The incident involved employee Jayne Denereaz who was attempting to retrieve a broken down golf buggy from the course on December, 11 2013 when it overturned, causing her serious injuries.

Mrs Denereaz was working in the golf shop when she was informed that there was a broken down golf buggy at the 15th Tee.

She and a colleague took a tow rope from the pro shop with the intention of retrieving the vehicle.

They stopped at the second Tee where the grounds staff advised her that the tow rope had missing D Rings and could not be used.

They were given the green keepers' tow rope and were shown how to attach it to the Buggy’s upper frame.

They travelled to the broken down buggy and attached the tow rope. Mrs Denereaz was steering the rear buggy and her colleague was driving the front one.

When they reached the 10th Tee they were travelling across a slight slope when the rear buggy started to drift to the left. Mrs Denereaz felt that the buggy was going to overturn and attempted to jump clear.

She was caught under the buggy’s body and put up her hand to stop the roof hitting her head.

"It's difficult to believe that in this day and age that the Golf Club had no safe system or risk assessments in place to retrieve a broken-down buggy" - Cllr Michele Lowe...

She suffered severe swelling and bruising, a suspected broken hand and a pulmonary contusion to the lung.

The accident also likely aggravated a pre-existing ear condition.

It was reported to Sevenoaks District Council who carried out an investigation. It found that these buggies had been purchased by the course along with user manuals.

The manuals warn users not to tow the vehicle with ropes, chains or any device other than factory approved tow bars.

During its investigation the council found that no risk assessment had been made for retrieving broken down vehicles and there were inadequate records of what training may have been given.

Cllr Michele Lowe, the council’s cabinet member for environmental health, says: "It's difficult to believe that in this day and age that the Golf Club had no safe system or risk assessments in place to retrieve a broken-down buggy.

"Mrs Denereaz sustained serious injuries but it could have been worse. The fine from the court demonstrates the severity of this case.

"Employers have responsibility to ensure that suitable risk assessments are undertaken for any work that puts their staff at risk."