Shop fined for selling knife to teenage girls

A shop has been fined after a bread knife was sold to teenage girls during a joint operation between Tower Hamlets Council and the police.

Razzak Miah, 39, of Chipka Street, Isle of Dogs, pleaded guilty to selling a knife to a person under the age of 18 when he appeared at Thames Magistrates Court on 18 July.

John Biggs, Mayor of Tower Hamlets, said: “This conviction is another example of our teams working closely with the police to make the streets of Tower Hamlets safer. This vital work helps to stamp out crime in the borough.”

The large knife was sold on 17 November 2018 at Docklands Halal Grocers in Castalia Square during a test purchase carried out by 14 and 15 year old police cadets. The transaction was also witnessed by a trading standards officer.

The knife was sold to the cadets with the seller making no attempt to ask either their age or for any identification.

Mr Miah – who argued that he was a friend of the butcher who asked him to help out while the usual worker was away on an emergency – was fined £130, legal costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £30.

On 29 August, Hussain Ahmed, Director of REH Investments Ltd pleaded guilty on behalf of the company. The company was fined £158, as well as £1561 in legal costs and a victim surcharge of £30.

Councillor Asma Begum, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Equalities, said: “Shopkeepers need to be aware that selling knives to children can have serious consequences. We also urge residents to support the police by reporting any knives found or seen on our streets.”

Mr Ahmed pleaded that since the incident he had put measures in place such as an age challenge policy and a refusals log. He has also stopped selling knives at the shop.

If you have information about anyone carrying or using knives, contact police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency always dial 999.