A Gozitan stonemason was yesterday charged with illegally storing fireworks in a field close to a busy road in Victoria.

Joseph Muscat, 44, from Victoria, pleaded not guilty.

Mr Muscat was arrested on Wednesday at about 6.30pm after the police received anonymous information saying that fireworks were being stored in a field located along St Dominica Street, close to a convent.

Sources said the police found a green, 20-foot long container next to a stonecutting workshop where Mr Muscat worked.

Inside they allegedly found chemical powder used in the preparation of fireworks and a set of prepared fireworks, known as kaxxa tal-ħruġ, a fireworks display that is let off when the procession is exiting the church during the village feast.

The sources also said that the container where the fireworks were allegedly stored was not visible from the road because it was behind a rubble wall and below street level.

Magistrate Paul Coppini, who presided over the arraignment at the Gozo courts, granted Mr Muscat bail against a €1,000 deposit and a personal guarantee of €5,000.

The magistrate also ordered the suspension of Mr Muscat’s fireworks manufacturing licence pending the outcome of the case.

Lawyers Charlon Gouder, Vince Micallef and Joseph Gerada represented Mr Muscat.

Police Inspector Frank Tabone prosecuted.