DISCOUNT store, Sports Soccer has been fined just over £12,000 after admitting health and safety breaches which included an injury to an eight-year-old girl.

Swindon magistrates heard how a large stepladder fell on Jodie Bradford's head when she visited the store in The Parade with her parents Stephen and Barbara in September last year.

They also heard that a health and safety inspector later found stock blocking a fire exit and roller skates displayed on a customer staircase.

Imposing fines totalling £12,200, and ordering the store pay £2,000 costs, chairman of the bench Bob Sparling said the store had failed to ensure safety rules were complied with.

"A child was hit by a stepladder and it could have been much more serious," he said.

The Bradford family, from Swindon, declined to comment after the sentencing, as did representatives of Sports Soccer.

The shop, which is now based in Regent Street but was formerly in The Parade, pleaded guilty to a total of four charges under sections of the Health and Safety Act 1974.

The first two, at The Parade, related to September 7, 1999, when Sports Soccer admitted failing to ensure a stepladder was stored safely and that walkways were kept obstruction-free.

The second two, at Regent Street, related to September 11, 2000, when the store admitted failing to ensure safe storage of stepladders and failing to keep walkways clear.

Prosecuting on behalf of Swindon Council, Phillip Wirth told justices that on September 7, 1999, Jodie Bradford was in the store and the ladder fell on her.

"A very large stepladder fell on Jodie with full force on the back of her head, causing her to fall to the floor.

"Mr Bradford removed the ladder and her mother treated her with a damp tea towel."

Mr Wirth said Jodie was checked at Princess Margaret Hospital, where she was found to have a large bump and bruising.

He added that, following a complaint, environmental health officer Mark Brazendale visited the store and photographed hazards such as a blocked fire exit.

The store said it took health and safety very seriously but, said Mr Wirth, subsequent checks on the store's Regent Street shop also revealed stepladders on the shop floor and stock blocking escape routes.

For Sports Soccer, Mark Tyler said the shop apologised and blamed the lapse on demand outgrowing shop size and previous poor management.

He said changes have been made to storage and delivery arrangements, merchandise is now moved out of shop hours and a delivery supervisor has been appointed.

"Firm action has been taken," he said. "A new management team has been brought in, one of the best the company has."