Islington Tribune - by MARK BLUNDEN Published: 29 June 2007
Company director sold fireworks to girl, 14, during undercover sting
A COMPANY director has been fined £500 after pleading guilty to selling fireworks to a child who was working undercover for the Town Hall’s Trading Standards team. Paul Shea was also told to pay £350 costs at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court after one of his staff sold fireworks to a girl of 14.
Shea, 39, of Barnet, north London, set up a temporary shop in Seven Sisters Road last year and supplied fireworks to the teenager on October 24.
The shop was open for a few weeks prior to Bonfire Night and only stocked fireworks.
Despite having notices in the shop stating that it was illegal to sell fireworks to under-18s, a shop assistant sold a pack of rockets to the girl.
The teen was working undercover for Islington council’s Trading Standards team when she made her test purchase.
Councillor Marisha Ray, executive member for community safety and performance at Islington Council, said: “Fireworks can be extremely dangerous – that’s why the law prevents them being sold to under-18s. “Islington Council’s public protection team works year round to keep Islington safe. While most are law abiding, when traders do break the law we’ll seek the highest penalties in court.”