Edinburgh man fined for hiding fireworks from police during bonfire night mayhem

Dannis Oseman was found to be concealing a banned firework after police officers stopped the car he was travelling in due to reports fireworks had fired from the vehicle.

Oseman, 21, was searched following the stop at the capital’s Pilrig Street and it was discovered he had pyrotechnics hidden in his trouser pocket.

Dannis Oseman, 21, pictured outside Edinburgh Sheriff Court. Photo by Alexander Lawrie.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court was told the offence took place during serious “levels of violence against police officers” carried out by members of the public on November 5 last year.

Fiscal depute Peter Finnon told Sheriff Francis Gill: “I’m not suggesting Mr Oseman had any part in that, I am just making Your Lordship aware [of the background]. Approximately 10.05pm constables were on patrol and stopped a vehicle and Mr Oseman was within.

“This was a result of witnesses having stated the vehicle had been involved in firing fireworks from within. Mr Oseman was searched and two fireworks were located within his trouser pocket. A search of the vehicle uncovered a number of other fireworks within and he was arrested and charged under section 35.”

Defence agent Victoria Good said her client, of the city’s Calders area, worked as courier but is currently unemployed.

Sheriff Gill said: “You have pled guilty to concealing and being in the possession of a prohibited firework with no reasonable explanation for having this and you have not been able to offer one to the court.”

Oseman was sentenced to pay a total fine of £470 to mark the offence. Oseman pleaded guilty to concealing a firework from a police officer and being in possession of a firework at Pilrig Street, Edinburgh, on November 5, 2023.

The offence contravened section 35 of the Fireworks and Pyrotechnics Articles (Scotland) Act 2022 that states it is an offence to possess a pyrotechnic article in a public place without reasonable excuse.

Police Scotland revealed a total of 27 people aged between 12 and 34 years old had been arrested following public disorder in Edinburgh on November 5 last year.

Rioting youths threw fireworks and petrol bombs during a night of mayhem in Niddrie on Bonfire Night last year.

Following the arrests last year, Chief Inspector Kieran Dougal, of Police Scotland, said: “The events of bonfire night, especially in the east of the city, were wholly unacceptable. 

“I would like to thank the local communities who have assisted with and supported our enquiries, and thank colleagues and partners who have worked within the investigation team.

“We have had specialist detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department who worked closely with community officers to identify and trace those involved in the disorder.

“Enforcement is just one area of our work and many months were spent before November engaging with communities and partners in our efforts to keep people safe. 

“These charges show that we will not tolerate criminality and ensure those who are involved in violence and disorder are identified and reported to the relevant authorities.”