Appeal over fireworks blast convictions dismissed

Martin Winter (left) and son Nathan (right) faced a trial in 2006

A father and son who were jailed after two people died in an explosion at an East Sussex fireworks factory lost challenges against their manslaughter convictions.

Martin Winter and his son, Nathan, were found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence in 2009, after two fire officers died in the 2006 blast.

The explosion at Marlie Farm, in Shortgate near Lewes, injured 20 other people.

Mr Winter, who ran a fireworks firm at the site, was jailed for seven years, and his son was sentenced to five years, later reduced to four.

The men challenged their convictions at the Court of Appeal following a referral by the Criminal Cases Review Commission, which reviews suspected miscarriages of justice.

In a ruling on Tuesday, three judges dismissed the appeals.

Lord Justice William Davis, sitting with Mrs Justice McGowan and Mrs Justice Cockerill, said: “We conclude that this appeal is misconceived and must be dismissed."

At the centre of the appeal were two questions over what types of fireworks were stored in a container on the site, and whether or not a type of firework known as a "rook scarer" had the capacity to cause a mass explosion, the decision said.

Firefighter Geoff Wicker, 49, and support officer Brian Wembridge, 63, died in the explosion.

The company was convicted of two health and safety breaches in connection with the blast and was fined £30,000.