His rocketing at court for sale of rogue fireworks

The illegal selling of fireworks in Motherwell and Carluke landed one man in the dock at Hamilton Sheriff Court.

Naeem Asghar, of Newarthill, will be required to appear for sentencing in December, after pleading guilty on Friday to supplying fireworks when not licensed to do so.

Asghar also pleaded guilty to selling fireworks outwith the permitted sales period and without displaying the statutory warnings notice in contravention to The Fireworks Act 2003 and the Fireworks Regulations 2004.

The 43-year-old’s not guilty pleas to more serious Health and Safety at Work charges were accepted by The Crown.

Sheriff Vincent Smith deferred sentencing until December 8.

Asghar sold fireworks on two occasions in October and November 2015 to undercover Trading Standards officers in both towns.

North Lanarkshire Council Trading Standards manager Paul Bannister believes the conviction sends out a warning selling unlicensed fireworks is unacceptable.

He said:“These offences came to light after diligent work by Trading Standards officers, who are to be commended for dealing with the situation quickly.

“The unlicensed selling of fireworks, which are explosives, means safety issues with regards to storage and supply, that would be tested and examined by my officers.”