Man fined after flares seized at band parade stall in Ballymena
A man has been fined £250 after police seized flares at a stall at a band parade in Ballymena.
Officers on cycles made the discovery in the North Road area of the town on May 17 this year, a court was told.
Raymond Duncan Hislop (59), with an address listed as City Way in Belfast, admitted possession of fireworks without a licence.
He was not present at Antrim Magistrates Court, sitting in Ballymena on Tuesday (December 16).
A prosecutor said that police saw the defendant "working on a stall". Flares were observed "in and around the stall".
The defendant said that he "did not have a licence to be in possession of the flares". The court was told that flares were being sold.
A defence solicitor said that the defendant "wasn't the person who was selling the stock" and that "he had been prevailed upon by the person who did to assist him and he was looking after it for a period of time".
The solicitor said that the defendant was doing a "good turn". The lawyer said that there were other items on the stall including toys, hats and "other paraphernalia".
District Judge Nigel Broderick said that the defendant had 69 previous convictions including for "dishonesty" and added: "So forgive me if I take what he says with a pinch of salt."
The solicitor said that the defendant is on benefits and is "currently homeless, sofa surfing". The solicitor went on to say that "one box" of items was confiscated.