A joint Knowsley Council and Merseyside Fire Service test purchasing exercise has led to the prosecution of a Kirkby man for selling fireworks to a child.
The operation conducted on 26 October 2007 resulted in an underage volunteer purchasing a packet of rocket fireworks from a business owned by Anthony John Colfar of Stretford Close, Tower Hill, Kirkby.
He was fined £200 and ordered to pay £100 costs within 28 days by Knowsley Magistrates Court on 29 August.
The sale occurred during an operation leading up to Mischief Night and Bonfire Night and was a breach of the firework regulations which state such items should not be sold to anyone aged under 18 years which in turn is an offence under the Consumer Protection Act.
Mr Colfar owned the container that the sale was made from, which was situated within the grounds of the Buckles Garden Centre, Kirkby.
Cllr Ken Keith, Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Corporate and Customer Services said: “We have just launched an underage sales campaign in Knowsley called ‘Get Real’ and this fine is a good example of how seriously this issue is taken. As a council we have a duty to protect our residents and will take firm, but fair action against those businesses that flout the law.
“The law is there to protect consumers and businesses and we will be working with them over the coming months to make sure they fully understand the legislation and have made all their staff aware of it. Fireworks in the wrong hands can be dangerous and we will do all that we can to make sure they are sold responsibly.”
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