A licensed fireworks manufacturer, Manuel Farrugia, 68 of Lija, was charged in court today with having caused grievous injuries to a teenager through negligence during the ground fireworks festival held in Floriana in April last year.

Mr Farrugia had been licensed to let off fireworks for St Michael Fireworks factory, which was taking part in the festival.

Police Constable Carmel Debattista told the court that he had seen something come off one of the ground fireworks structures and fly into the crowd. He then saw 13-year-old Kurt Connor shouting in pain and holding his face in his hands. An ambulance was called and he was rushed to hospital.

The boy had suffered grievous injury to one of his eyes, including a tear on a cornea caused by burns, inflammation of the retina and a cut under the eye lid, the court was told.

Kenneth Brincat, representing Floriana local council, which organised the event, said that the festival was held under the relative police permits, and the conditions of that permit had been observed, with the crowd having been kept behind barriers some distance away from the fireworks.

Mr Farrugia is pleading not guilty. The case continues.