A LAWNMOWER caused a stir in the Cairns Courthouse yesterday when it was wheeled in for a re-enactment in a case involving a council worker suing over the partial loss of a finger.

Cairns Regional Council gardener Raymond Sharp is battling his employer in the Cairns District Court for an undisclosed amount of compensation alleging unsafe work systems after a mowing incident on May 20, 2009 saw him lose the tip of his ring finger to the knuckle.

It is alleged Mr Sharp was mowing a median strip on Sheridan St when he bent down to retrieve a spring beside the lawnmower and a car horn was honked, causing him to become startled and accidentally put his hand under the mower.

Legal representatives for the council wheeled a lawnmower through security and into the courthouse yesterday morning, prompting Judge Bill Everson to question why he needed to see it.

Judge Everson said he had come across many interesting exhibits "but I've never actually recalled a lawnmower as an exhibit".

When council barrister Wallace Campbell replied it was needed for a re-enactment, Judge Everson said he had mowed the lawn at the weekend and was familiar enough with the machinery.

But later, when Mr Sharp gave evidence and started to re-enact what happened using a chair, Judge Everson said the lawnmower may as well be brought in.

It then became apparent it was the wrong model and the case was adjourned for an exact replica to be sourced.

The hearing continues today.

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