Woman Fined for Illegal Facebook Fireworks Sale

A Newport woman has been fined after being caught selling fireworks illegally on Facebook from her unlicensed home. 🎆

Carly-Ann Peterson, 23, stored fireworks worth around £3,200 containing 17kg of explosives at her Lime Crescent property before Guy Fawkes Night.

Trading standards officers, working with Gwent Police, raided the house after receiving allegations about unlicensed fireworks sales.

Peterson pleaded guilty to offences under the Explosives Regulations 2014 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 at Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court.

She was fined £320 and ordered to pay £400 prosecution costs plus a £128 victim surcharge – totalling £848 to be paid at £20 per month starting October 22.

A council spokesperson said: “Our trading standards officers, working alongside Gwent Police, visited a house in Newport after receiving allegations that fireworks were being sold from the premises which was not licenced for the safe storage of explosives.

“We seized fireworks containing 17kg of explosives from the house, with an estimated retail value of around £3,200.

“Unlicenced sellers operate at risk to themselves and their local community.

“If you are buying fireworks, please only do so from licenced sellers.” ⚠️