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£12k fine after firework risks
A COMPANY that put customers at a Maidstone garden centre at risk by storing fireworks next to bottles of fuel and without a li- cence has been fined £12,000. Kent-based Hardy and Hardy
Ltd, trading as Sparkles Fireworks, which operated at the garden cen- tre in the town during last year’s fireworks’ season, was prosecuted by KCC Trading Standards. Operations manager James Whiddett said: “Our officers will always try to work with businesses to help them trade safely and within the requirements of the leg- islation. “In this case, the advice was not
followed by the company and our inspections found issues that could put employees and customers at an unacceptable risk. “Fireworks are one of the most dangerous products retailers han- dle, which is why our officers con- duct inspections to ensure the safety of retailers and consumers. This sentence by the court reflects the serious nature of the offences.” Medway magistrates heard
Sparkles shop floor fireworkswere next to bottles of bio-ethanol fuel and some in its store room were loose on a work bench, while oth- erswere in open boxes. The company stored 30kg of
larger, more powerful fireworks at a second site in Sittingbourne – 5kg more than its licence allowed. Mag- istrates were told fireworks here were also found loose and others in open cartons. A van used by the company and parked close to the container was also loaded with just under 45kg of fireworks, when vehicles are not permitted to hold fireworks except when transporting them. Magistrates agreed that the com-
pany fell short of the appropriate standards. Taking into account the sentenc-
ing guidelines, the early guilty plea and that the company had no pre- vious convictions, the company was fined £12,000 and ordered to pay prosecution costs. KCCtrading standards has made
it clear that the garden centre was not at fault.
Kristian iswell on track
LENHAM student KristianSamwell-Nash has been chosen to race in a na- tional athletics championship just a month after his debut on the com- petitive running track. Following an outstanding per-
formance representing Kent Schools on Saturday, June 17, Kristian has been selected to compete in the U15 team at the National Track and Field Championships held by the English Schools Athletics Association (ESAA) next month in Birmingham. Kristian, a year 9 pupil at The Lenham School, ran his 300m race in just 36.41 seconds which was a per- sonal best aswell as the third fastest time in the UK this year. He will now compete as a seeded runner in this event at the championships. A school spokesman said: “A suc-
cessful 100m relay on June 17 means he may well participate in this event too. This is an amazing achievement, considering Kristian has only been running competitively for just over amonth. “Staff and fellow students at The Lenham School are very proud of Kris-
tian’s achievements so far and will all be rooting for him to bring back a medal fromthe nationals in July.”
Banned driver’s cocaine stash A BANNED driverwas uninsured and had a stash of cocaine with him while at the wheel of a Volkswagen Polo. Michael Blake (33), of Cornwall Close, Maidstone, was disqualified
from driving for 30 months by West Kent Magistrates’ Court and or- dered to do 200 hours of unpaid work. Hewas also fined £100, £85 costs and an £85 surcharge. He admitted driving while disqualified, without insurance and pos- sessing cocaine. The court heard he drove inVale Rise, Tonbridge, while disqualified and with no insurance.
01622 753073 |
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