Store owner and his friend failed to ask 13 and 15-year-old their ages

A SHOPKEEPER and his friend who sold tobacco to two underage schoolgirls have been fined in court.

Nilesh Bhailal Doshi, 47, who owns Payal Chat Corner in Ealing Road, Wembley, and 55-year-old Kishor Shah, admitted selling chewing tobacco (paan) to two girls aged 13 and 15 in June this year.

The girls working as volunteers for Brent and Harrow Trading Standards Service (BHTSS) when they entered the shop and asked for a packet of ‘Tulsi Mix’.

Doshi, of Norton Road, and Shah, of Forty Lane, both in Wembley, failed to ask the girl’s age despite it being illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under 18.

In addition, the shop failed to display mandatory notices about the sales of tobacco instead a crudely handwritten sign that did not comply with strict legal regulations had been put up instead.

Doshi told investigators that Shah was a friend who was helping him out and did not work for him.

He added that he had told Shah not to sell tobacco to children but he had no written procedures or controls

When Shah was interviewed he gave an identical account.

On Tuesday, Brent Magistrates Court fined Doshi �220 and Shah �150.

Both men were also ordered to pay a contribution of �250 towards BHTSS prosecution costs as well as a �15 victim surcharge.

Bill Bilon head of BHTSS said: “Protecting young people from the dangers of tobacco is a major priority for the service, but in addition, chewing tobacco is the cause of anti social behaviour in Wembley as once it has been chewed, the user spits it out.

“This can often be the cause of red staining commonly seen covered across Wembley’s streets.

“I would encourage all local business who sell age restricted products, including chewing tobacco, to speak to us about joining our free ‘Responsible Trader Scheme and receiving advice about their role in preventing users from spitting chewing tobacco onto Brent’s streets.”

For more information about BHTSS visit www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/brent&harrow