Teenage Boy Injured From On-Line Mortar Round Purchase

Northamptonshire, United Kingdom A 16 year old teenager suffered burns to his hands when the fuze of a mortar round he was dismantling functioned. The boy reportedly purchased the mortar round through an on-line auction website - Specialist Auctions. The teenager believed that the mortar round he purchased was inert as the auction website has a strict policy against posting any military ordnance memorabilia that has energetic materials.

Following the accident, the website has banned the seller from posting further auctions. Police are investigating the case to determine if charges should be placed against the seller for possible violations under Britain's Firearms Act. The boy was treated for his injuries from a local hospital. Police confiscated the remains of the mortar round described as a Spanish 81mm round as evidence.