IPSWICH: A retailer is due to be sentenced next month after admitting illegally storing fireworks at his Ipswich shop below a flat occupied by a family.

Graeme Duncan pleaded guilty at Ipswich Crown Court to the unauthorised storage of fireworks at The Firework Shop in Felixstowe Road.

The explosive content of the fireworks the 62-year-old could store was limited to 75kg, due to the existence of living accommodation on the property.

However, Duncan, of Bracken Avenue, Kesgrave, had in excess of the 75kg limit, with potentially up to 139kg of explosives being stored on the premises.

Suffolk County Council trading standards officers were called to The Firework Shop on Sunday, January 17, by Suffolk Constabulary.

On arrival trading standards officers found a large amount of fireworks were not secured in cabinets and were scattered throughout.

In some cases, the fireworks were also damaged.

Approximately 80 boxes of fireworks were seized by trading standards officers.

Suffolk County Council said the flat above was understood to have been inhabited at the time of the offence.

Duncan, a director of GJD Trading Ltd and owner of the shop, is due to be sentenced on December 16 at Ipswich Crown Court.

Matt Spall, a trading standards officer said: “This case highlights the potential danger that fireworks can pose when not stored correctly and clearly demonstrates that Suffolk trading standards are committed to enforcing the regulations to help ensure the safety of the residents of Suffolk.

“It is vitally important that businesses are responsible and store fireworks correctly. Failure to store fireworks safely and within the clearly defined permitted weight limits could potentially lead to serious injury or, on rare occasions, death.”

Anyone with concerns relating to the storage of fireworks should contact Suffolk trading standards department on 01473 264859.

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