Darren Mayne of Mega Bounce (centre) at the scene of the accident with Colin Myers of Health and Safety and a police officer

THE owner of a dangerously faulty fairground ride which left two 12-year-old girls injured during the 2008 Battle of Flowers has been fined £5,000.

One of the girls was hurled from the Mega Bounce ride while it was being operated by travelling showman Darren Mayne, from Hayes in Middlesex. She landed on the grass, suffering bruising to her face before being flung from the ride.

The other girl initially managed to cling on as the ride slowed down, but was also thrown out, hitting a metal step. She was knocked unconscious and suffered a chest injury, facial bruising, wrist and knee injuries and a fractured pelvis.

Mayne appeared before the Royal Court yesterday charged with breaking health and safety laws. He admitted the offence and conceded that he had been grossly negligent. The court fined him £5,000, ordered him to pay £1,000 towards the prosecution costs and £2,500 towards the cost of the investigation.