Fireworks factory owner - trial starts
THE trial of a fireworks factory owner arrested on bonfire night has started with fresh evidence from police.
Martin Winter, 50, the owner of a factory where two firemen died in December 2006, is appearing at Lewes Magistrates' Court this morning (Tuesday), charged with disorderly behaviour and resisting arrest.
Winter, who runs Festival Fireworks at Marlie Farm in Shortgate, near Ringmer, has denied the offences which allegedly took place during the Lewes Bonfire celebrations on November 5 last year.
The trial began at 10am this morning but Ghulam Hussain, prosecuting immediately called for a short adjournment while he waited for police to bring 'further evidence'.
Mr Hussain, said: 'Further evidence has come to light but the evidence is not in an official format.'
Magistrates agreed to a short adjournment.
Prosecutors allege that Winter used threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress in an argument with police in Friars Walk shortly before 9pm.
He is further accused of resisting a police officer.
The incident happened during the Grand Procession through Lewes town centre when Winter, president of Borough Bonfire Society, allegedly demanded the society be allowed to pass through a cordon to march up School Hill.
The case is continuing
*Retained firefighter Geoff Wicker, 49, from Heathfield, and fire support officer Brian Wembridge, 63, of Crowborough, died when the depot at Festival Fireworks exploded in December 2006 as emergency services tackled a blaze.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Worthing
Wednesday 30 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 12 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: South west
