Blast factory bosses appear in court

Martin Winter, 50, and son Nathan, 23, are accused of unlawfully killing Geoff Wicker and Brian Wembridge in a blast at Festival Fireworks at Marlie Farm in Shortgate near Ringmer.

Mr Wicker, from Heathfield, and Mr Wembridge, from Crowborough, died as they tackled a blaze at the depot on December 3 2006.

Twelve other people were injured when the premises exploded, including nine firefighters and a police officer.

Mr Winter senior's company, now known as Alpha Fireworks Ltd, has also been charged with breaches of the manufacture and storage of Explosive Regulations 2005.

The two defendants, wearing dark suits, spoke only to confirm their names, ages and addresses at a five-minute hearing before Lewes magistrates this morning (Wednesday).

Neither entered a plea to the two charges of manslaughter that each faces and no plea was entered on the matter of breaching explosive regulations.

Magistrates ruled that the allegations were too serious for them to deal with and sent both men for trial at Lewes Crown Court.

The pair, both of Marlie Farm, The Broyle, were released on unconditional bail pending a preliminary hearing before a judge on June 25.

The charges against the defendants follow a lengthy investigation involving Sussex Police and the Health and Safety Executive.

In October the HSE lifted a ban it had imposed on storing fireworks on the site following the explosion.

Mr Wicker, 49, and Mr Wembridge, 63, were both long-serving members of East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and were given full brigade honours at their funerals which were attended by firefighters from across the UK.

Both were fathers of two and they were the first firefighters to be killed in action in Sussex since 1974