A COUNTY Durham man is due to be sentenced after being found with more than 70kg of fireworks despite not having  a licence.

Malik Anam Javed, from Chester-le-Street, appeared at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

He was facing four charges relating to breaches of explosive and health and safety regulations.

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He was charged with storing explosives without holding or complying with a condition of a licence, failing to take measures to protect people from fire or explosion, and two counts of failing to ensure the separating distance  for storage of fireworks.

He was found to have 71kg of “hazard type three” explosives and 3.2kg of “hazard type four” explosives on November 5, 2020, while not having a licence for their storage.

Another charge says he failed to take appropriate measures to prevent fire or explosion and protect people from the effects of fire or explosion.

The explosives were being stored at a first floor flat about Villa Victoria Convenience Ltd, a now disolved company registered at an address in Newcastle, as well as in a van being kept next to the premises.

The 34-year-old gave an indicated plea of guilty to all of the charges. 

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Javed, of Windsor Road, Chester-le-Street, is due to be sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court on April 27.

He was granted unconditional bail until the hearing takes place.

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