Merton Council saw Mr Kantilal Patel fined at Wimbledon Magistrates Court last week (4 May) after pleading guilty to unlawfully selling cigarettes to a minor on 27 September 2010.

The owner of Shalini News and Mini Market, based on Church Road, Mitcham, was fined £750.00 for the offence and ordered to pay costs of £600 and a victim surcharge of £15.

The case followed a test purchasing operation by Merton Trading Standards where a 15 year old boy was sold a pack of 10 cigarettes by Mr Patel’s employee. Mr Patel had no employee training records and committed the offence despite receiving an advice pack from Merton Trading Standards just 12 days before.

Cabinet member for environmental sustainability and regeneration, Councillor Andrew Judge said: “With the majority of smokers becoming addicted in their teens, we are committed to ensuring children do not illegally access tobacco or any other age restricted product. Merton council is determined to do everything possible to protect the health and safety of our young people and will prosecute retailers who flout the law.”

For more information and advice from trading standards visit http://www.merton.gov.uk/tradingstandards or call 020 8545 4018.

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Press Contact:
Leoni Munslow
Communications Assistant
London Borough of Merton
020 8545 4654