The owner of a West Midlands shop that sold cigarettes to a 15-year-old customer has been handed a suspended prison sentence. Noragha Sarwari, sole owner and director of Nodia Foods Ltd, which traded as The Corner Shop on Birmingham Road in Wolverhampton, faced charges after the underage sale in July last year.
The purchase was made by a child volunteer during a test purchase operation. Immediately after the sale, the premises were inspected by trading standards officers and West Midlands Police. Seventeen packets of illicit cigarettes were seized, along with 37 banned disposable vapes and 15 packets of illicit oral tobacco.
Investigation and Court Proceedings
During an interview with Wolverhampton council's Trading Standards department, Sarwari said the vapes and lighters had been bought from a cash and carry. However, he claimed the cigarettes and oral tobacco were purchased from an unidentified man who appeared at the shop in a van.
Sarwari appeared before court on April 1, where he pleaded guilty to 10 charges under the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations, three charges under the Trade Marks Act, and one charge each under the Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Regulations and Environmental Protection Regulations. He also admitted the same charges on behalf of the business, along with a further charge under the Children and Young Persons Act.
Sentencing and Financial Penalties
On July 15, Sarwari appeared at Dudley Magistrates Court, where he was handed a 17-week prison term, suspended for 24 months. He was also ordered to pay court costs of £1,500 and a victim surcharge of £182. Nodia Foods Ltd was ordered to pay a £3,500 fine, a victim surcharge of £1,400, and costs of £1,500.
Councillor Qaiser Azeem, City of Wolverhampton Council’s cabinet member for resident services, said: "This prosecution is another important step in our ongoing work to safeguard residents across our city. Our Trading Standards team is taking decisive action against retailers who put young people at risk. This behaviour has no place in Wolverhampton, and we will not tolerate it."
Warning to Businesses and Public Contact
Azeem added: "As this case demonstrates, businesses must understand that selling age-restricted products to underage customers carries serious consequences. If you break the law, you will face action. We will not hesitate to hold to account anyone who endangers the public or undermines the efforts of responsible businesses."
Anyone who thinks they may have been sold illegal goods or suspect someone is selling them is asked to email trading.standards@wolverhampton.gov.uk or contact Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133.
