Shopkeeper must do community service after selling knife to teens (From Croydon Guardian)

Thornton Heath shopkeeper must do community service after selling knife to teens

5:50am Friday 5th October 2012 in News By Hannah Williamson

A shopkeeper who turned down training on the sale of age restricted items has been ordered to do community service after selling a knife to two teenagers.

Mohammed Ajmal who owns Gift Shop in London Road, Thornton Heath, sold the eight inch carving knife to two 15-year-old test purchasers on February 14.

The 60-year-old who was working behind the till, sold the pair the knife to them without asking for any identification.

Ajmal, who has run the shop for 10 years, told Croydon Magistrates' Court because the knives were on a high shelf, he didn't think anyone under age would be able to buy them.

He admitted he should have asked for id and pleaded guilty to selling a knife to a child.

He was sentenced to 130 hours community service and ordered to pay council costs of £880 and a £15 victim surcharge at the court on September 11.

Councillor Simon Hoar, cabinet member for community safety and public protection, said: "The council takes a tough stance on knife crime and will not hesitate to crack down on those selling knives to children.

"It is the responsibility of every shopkeeper to demand proof of age from anybody they suspect of being too young."

Ajmal had previously refused an offer by Croydon Trading Standards for training on the sale of age restricted items.

The council offers traders the opportunity to attend free Fair Trading Awards - accredited Do You Pass training sessions to educate shopkeepers about preventing sales of age restricted items.

Any trader keen to participate should contact the council for further information.