Two men who were caught manufacturing fireworks illegally in a garage that forms part of the Astra Theatre complex in March were today fined €13,500 each.
Cousins George Attard, 37, and Emanuel Buhagiar, 35, both from Victoria, Gozo, pleaded guilty to a number of charges related to the illegal production, importation, retention and carriage of fireworks.
Around a kilogram of explosive powder was discovered in a garage-turned workshop owned by the La Stella Philharmonic Society. The garage is located directly beneath the popular clubbing destination Ku Club and the Astra Theatre, which often hosts community performances and operas in Victoria.
The two fireworks aficionados appeared before Magistrate Joseph Mifsud and pleaded guilty to all the charges brought against them.
The case happened on March 13 when the police discovered the explosive material in the garage in Triq Giuseppe Giardini Vella in Victoria. The garage had been passed on by the philharmonic society to the two men to be used a store but not to store any explosive material, the court heard. The two men were ordinary members of the society and played in the band but were not committee members.
Magistrate Mifsud found that the illegal storage of explosive material in the garage in a residential area was "very serious" not only for the accused but also for the people living nearby who had their lives exposed and endangered.
He also noted that the philharmonic society had dissociated itself from the illegal explosives and that the discovery deviated the attention from the cultural activities the band club was organising.
In his consideration on punishment, Magistrate Mifsud said this had to not only reflect the seriousness of the case but also had to serve as a deterrent for other fireworks enthusiasts to observe the law.
He also considered that the men filed a guilty plea in the first available opportunity and that the prosecution and defence had agreed that a pecuniary punishment was the most suitable in the case.
He therefore fined them €13,500 each and ordered them to pay court expenses.
Police Inspectors Frank Tabone and Bernard Spiteri prosecuted.