Worker tried for putting peanuts in nut-free site

— A factory worker in Britain is accused of sprinkling peanuts around a British food plant that was supposed to be peanut-free.

Paul Bentley is on trial in Nottingham, in central England, for allegedly trying to contaminate goods at the Pork Farms Riverside Bakery in July 2007. The factory makes products for grocers Marks & Spencer and Sainsbury's.

Sophie Maughan, a human resources officer at the plant, told jurors Thursday that the peanut find halted production. Even traces of peanuts can be fatal to people with severe allergies.

Maughan said Bentley became a suspect because he had recently been reprimanded for allegedly pinning up a racy calendar at work and because he was seen near where the nuts were discovered.

Bentley is charged with intending to contaminate goods and making a threat. He denies both charges.


