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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Fireworks boss guilty over deaths | Fireworks boss guilty over deaths |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| A fireworks factory owner has been found guilty of the manslaughter of two firemen killed in an explosion. | A fireworks factory owner has been found guilty of the manslaughter of two firemen killed in an explosion. |
| Geoff Wicker, 49, and Brian Wembridge, 63, were killed in the fire at Marlie Farm, in Shortgate, near Lewes, East Sussex, in December 2006. | Geoff Wicker, 49, and Brian Wembridge, 63, were killed in the fire at Marlie Farm, in Shortgate, near Lewes, East Sussex, in December 2006. |
| Alpha Fireworks boss Martin Winter, 52, was convicted at Lewes Crown Court. | Alpha Fireworks boss Martin Winter, 52, was convicted at Lewes Crown Court. |
| The jury will continue its deliberations on two charges of manslaughter faced by Winter's son Nathan, 25, on Tuesday. | The jury will continue its deliberations on two charges of manslaughter faced by Winter's son Nathan, 25, on Tuesday. |
| Company owner Martin Winter, 52, was "grossly negligent" as he knew an unlicensed metal container packed with fireworks could explode if a blaze broke out, the court heard. | Company owner Martin Winter, 52, was "grossly negligent" as he knew an unlicensed metal container packed with fireworks could explode if a blaze broke out, the court heard. |
| Distinguished career | Distinguished career |
| As well as killing the two firemen, both long-serving members of East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, the blast injured 20 others, mainly police and fire officers. | As well as killing the two firemen, both long-serving members of East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, the blast injured 20 others, mainly police and fire officers. |
| Following a trial at Lewes Crown Court, the company, now called Alpha Fireworks Ltd, was also found guilty of two counts of breaching health and safety legislation. | Following a trial at Lewes Crown Court, the company, now called Alpha Fireworks Ltd, was also found guilty of two counts of breaching health and safety legislation. |
| The metal container was being used to house fireworks before being shipped to the Middle East, the court heard during the trial. | The metal container was being used to house fireworks before being shipped to the Middle East, the court heard during the trial. |
| Prosecutors argued that the Winters were aware of the hazards posed by housing such fireworks in a metal container, which was not authorised by the company's licence. | Prosecutors argued that the Winters were aware of the hazards posed by housing such fireworks in a metal container, which was not authorised by the company's licence. |
| Geoff Wicker (L) and Brian Wembridge died in the explosion | Geoff Wicker (L) and Brian Wembridge died in the explosion |
| Jurors also heard the Winters' defence that they could not be considered responsible for the two deaths because it was the duty of firefighters to be aware of the dangers. | |
| Brian Wembridge, 63, who was married with two sons, had a long and distinguished career with the fire service, joining it as an operational firefighter in 1961. | Brian Wembridge, 63, who was married with two sons, had a long and distinguished career with the fire service, joining it as an operational firefighter in 1961. |
| He retired in 1994, completing his service as officer in charge at Lewes, before transferring to support services where his role included taking footage at fire scenes. | He retired in 1994, completing his service as officer in charge at Lewes, before transferring to support services where his role included taking footage at fire scenes. |
| Geoff Wicker, 49, who was married with two daughters, joined the fire service more than 30 years ago as a retained duty system firefighter at Mayfield, then switched to Heathfield, where he was watch commander. | Geoff Wicker, 49, who was married with two daughters, joined the fire service more than 30 years ago as a retained duty system firefighter at Mayfield, then switched to Heathfield, where he was watch commander. |
| In the mid-1990s he joined the mobility and communication centre, and fire chiefs said his knowledge and skills saw him rapidly promoted to watch officer. | In the mid-1990s he joined the mobility and communication centre, and fire chiefs said his knowledge and skills saw him rapidly promoted to watch officer. |
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| Martin Winter was found guilty at Lewes Crown Court | Martin Winter was found guilty at Lewes Crown Court |