A TEENAGER has told how he became a human fireball after an accident at a coach company.

Scott Sergeant told The Northern Echo that he still suffers flashbacks from the events on September 11, 2004, which left the youngster, then aged only 15, scarred for life and unable to fulfil his dream of becoming a mechanic.

Scott, now 18, of Park End, Middlesbrough, spoke of his ordeal after his former boss, Fred Wren, 51, of Rockcliffe View, Carlin How, east Cleveland, pleaded guilty to employing a child and not ensuring the safety at work of his employees.

He was fined £7,500 at Teesside Crown Court yesterday.

The court was told that Scott was injured at Abbey Coaches, in South Bank, Middlesbrough, where he worked part-time.

The youngster was watching Wren welding when sparks from the welding machine ignited nearby paint thinners, causing an explosion.

Teesside Crown Court heard that Scott suffered 65 per cent burns and required a prolonged stay in intensive care, as well as many operations and blood transfusions.

At the time, doctors said his injuries were life-threatening and would have killed him had he been older. He still requires further surgery.

Speaking after the case, Scott said: "I am not fit to work. Since the accident, I have just been sitting at home bored. I wanted to be a mechanic, but there is no way I can do that now. If I did, I would end up being in hospital more times then out.

"When it happened, I was not in pain -I did not feel anything -I just felt hot.

"I need to get rid of all the operations and hopefully try and get a job."

Paul Greaney, prosecuting, had earlier told the court: "Scott describes sparks flying from the welder when suddenly he heard a bang and saw blue flames, then he felt hot. Scott was, in fact, on fire at that stage, and then he ran."

Mr Greaney said the paint thinner had a flammable warning sign on it, and said: "In short, this is a clear example of an employer exposing an employee to a heath and safety risk at work -a risk that could have well been avoided."

Derek O'Sulivan, in mitigation, said Wren was not aware that employing someone of 15 was a criminal offence, and said it was not a case of child labour.

Speaking of the accident, Mr O'Sulivan said: "Mr Wren cannot believe that he acted in this way and he generally has no recollection of doing so.

"It has been extremely difficult for him to face up to. He also suffered severe injuries -he was in hospital for seven weeks.