Vape seller receives suspended sentence
A shop owner has been handed a suspended sentence for continuing to sell illegal vapes despite warnings from trading standards.
Karamjot Singh of Robert Street, Dudley appeared in Wolverhampton Crown Court last week (May 17) following an investigation by trading standards.
The court heard that in July 2022, trading standards seized 420 illegal disposable vapes from Singh’s shop ‘Dudley Drinks Stop’ on Wolverhampton Street, Dudley. The vapes contained nicotine and their capacity exceeded the permitted 2ml limit. During this visit, Singh assured officers that he would no longer sell the illegal devices.
In September of the same year, officers visited Liquor Well on Old Park Road, Dudley where they seized 361 illegal vapes. Officers discovered this shop was also owned by Singh who once again assured officers that he would stop selling illegal vapes.
Trading standards returned to Liquor Well on October 27, 2022, to carry out an undercover operation. A 15-year-old who was volunteering on behalf of trading standards visited the shop and was sold a disposable vape containing nicotine. On this evidence, officers carried out an inspection and found 44 illegal vapes hidden under the counter.
Following guilty pleas entered at Wolverhampton Crown Court last week, Singh was given an eight month prison sentence suspended for two years. Singh was also ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work and to pay costs of £6697.55, payable within six months. Forfeiture and destruction of the vapes was ordered.
Councillor James Clinton, cabinet member for public health, said:
Singh has shown complete disregard for the law and failed to listen to multiple warnings from our trading standards officers.
“We continue to support legitimate businesses in the borough but in cases like this, rogue businesses should expect a similar outcome. We cannot allow illegal vapes containing numerous harmful substances to be sold and we do not tolerate children being put at risk by these items.