Haul of illegal fireworks was found in Oldham vape shop
A vape shop owner in Oldham was sentenced for illegally storing a haul of fireworks without a licence.Summary
Shabaz Ali Abbas, 44, of Broomhurst Avenue, pleaded guilty to contravening health and safety regulations after illegal fireworks were found at his shop, The Vape Store, on Hollins Road in Oldham on November 2, 2024. He admitted storing the fireworks—legally classed as explosives—without the required licence under Regulation 7(1) of the Explosives Regulations 2014, an offence under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. At Tameside Magistrates' Court on Friday, September 11, he was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for 12 months. During the suspension he must follow his responsible officer's instructions and attend appointments or rehabilitation activities for up to 10 days. The fireworks were ordered to be forfeited and destroyed. Abbas was ordered to pay a £187 victim services surcharge and £4,162.11 in costs, with a collection order requiring £100 monthly payments from October 9, bringing the total balance to £4,349.11. Concerns about shops selling fireworks illegally can be reported to Oldham Council's trading standards team.
(Source：Oldham Times)
