A former Dagenham shopkeeper has been ordered to pay £1,756 following the sale of a knife to a 13-year-old and butane gas to a 16-year-old.
The offence came to light following a planned test purchase operation at the Pound Plus Shop in Heathway, when in June 2017 a knife was sold to a 13-year-old volunteer by an employee of Mr Farzad Hamidi.
During a re-visit later that month, the same employee sold a butane cigarette lighter refill canister to a 16-year-old male volunteer.
When interviewed Mr Hamidi stated that his employee was unreliable and was not focused on his work.
Mr Hamidi was summoned to appear at Barkingside Magistrates Court on Friday, 19 January 2018 where he pleaded guilty to the offence and stated he was of good character and the sale had been the fault of his employee.
The court ruled that Mr Hamidi had failed to train his employee or taken basic steps to prevent sales of knives and potentially lethal butane gas.
He was fined £720 for the two offences (£360 for each offence) and then told to pay £36 victim surcharge plus £1,000 costs that have been awarded to the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.
Councillor Laila Butt, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety, said: “We welcome and encourage businesses in the borough but we will not tolerate those who do not play by the rules.
“While the majority of businesses already do, they must act in a manner that is socially responsible.
“Selling knives to anyone underage and without the normal checks is unacceptable and we will take the strongest possible action to ensure the safety of our residents.”
The shop has since closed.
Tags: Dagenham, Heathway
