THE court ruling that Melksham pub owners, David and Janet Ponsford, are not responsible for the injuries to a child on their premises is ridiculous, but it is not the court that is to blame.

Little Tommy Redford was left with his fingers burnt down to the bone after touching a live cable left in the skittle alley of the Pickled Pilot pub.

The 19-month-old boy now faces a series of painful operations until he is 16 years old.

The pub's proprietors did not dispute that the accident happened, they based their defence around the investigation into the accident.

All West Wiltshire District Council's health and safety officers had to do was carry out a thorough investigation into the accident but they failed to do their job properly.

Vital witness interviews were never heard because these officers failed to carry them out under caution.

All Tommy's parents wanted was an apology for what happened to their son, instead their faith in justice has been destroyed.

Perhaps the worst aspect of this case is the example it sets to other people out there, who might think they can get away with shoddy safety precautions.

Tommy could have died that day and the next time another child might.