A woman lost part of her finger when a stun grenade exploded in her hand at a War and Peace event in Folkestone.

The show – at Folkestone Racecourse in July 2013 – had attracted enthusiasts including children.

But now a judge has heard how businessman Paul Heddell, 50, had live grenades at his wartime paraphernalia stand.

Heddell, from Shropham, in Norfolk ran PDH Enterprises, which supplied to film and TV, war re-enactors and theatre.

Prosecutor Richard Heller told how enthusiast Sarah Bluck bought an “Eastern European grenade case”, a practice grenade and the stun grenade for £120.

It was only when she tried to dismantle the stun grenade that it exploded in her hand, ripping off part of her middle finger.

She was also treated for burns to her hands, arms, legs and stomach in the incident.

Mr Heller said the grenade had two explosions and she was able to throw it to another part of her tent before it caused more damage.

Army bomb disposal experts were called in to make the showground safe while Ms Bluck was treated by medics

Mr Heller told Canterbury Crown Court: “At no point was Ms Bluck advised that the stun grenade was in fact live explosive nor was there any indication given on the stall itself that live products were for sale or mixed in with inert products.

"The Crown suggests that the risks were obvious. Displaying live explosive devices on open and accessible shelving created a risk that they would be picked up and played with by children."

Heddell, who appeared by prison video link, admitted two breaches under the Health and Safety laws.

He had no licence to store 'live' ammunition in Kent, the court was told.

He was to be due to be sentenced earlier this year but it was postponed as he faced other charges in Norwich.

He was later jailed for five years after possessing a model machine gun bought at a weapons fair for £800, claiming he thought it could only fire blanks.

Now Judge James O’Mahony has given him a six-month jail sentence but ordered it to run concurrently with the other sentence. Heddell will also have to pay £5,000 costs within six years.