Suspended sentence for shopkeeper who illegally store fireworks

Edward Ackroyd (50), of Markham Road, Edlington pleaded guilty to breaches of the Manufacture and Storage of Explosives Regulation 2005 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court and was sentenced to an eight months in prison suspended for a year and 200 hours of community service.

Ackroyd has held a valid licence to store and sell fireworks at Roman Party Shop in Balby for more than 12 years but was found to be illegally storing more than the legally allowed amount of fireworks at an unlicensed premises at Sandford Road, Balby, Doncaster last October.

He was also ordered to pay £3,900 costs.

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue revoked his licence to store fireworks and has welcomed the successful prosecution, urging others to heed fire safety legislation designed to protect the public.

Technical fire safety manager Terry Guthrie said: “Fireworks can pose a very real danger when stored illegally.

“This case clearly demonstrates that, as the Fireworks Licensing Authority, we are committed to enforcing the regulations to help ensure the safety of residents and the emergency services personnel living and working in South Yorkshire.

“It is vitally important that fireworks are only stored legally in licensed storage facilities.

“Failure to store fireworks safely and within the clearly defined permitted weight limits could place those who live and work in that area at risk of serious injury or, on rare occasions, death in the event of a fire.”

Anyone intending to sell fireworks needs a licence or registration.

They must register with the Fire Authority, always store fireworks safely and never sell fireworks to people under the age of 18.

For more information about laws relating to the sale and storage of fireworks, visit www.syfire.gov.uk.