Fines dished out after vapes sold to children in Walsall

The nicotine products should not be sold to those under the age of 18
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images)


Vapes were illegally sold to children in Walsall when shopkeepers failed to ask for ID. The nicotine products should not be sold to those under the age of 18 - and hefty fines have now been handed to those responsible for the sales.

Walsall Council’s Trading Standards conducted test purchase exercises in the borough on December 13 last year. Three retailers were prosecuted as a result - all of which had previously received advisory visits by the team following complaints they were selling vapes to youngsters.

Harry Singh from Midland Market, based in Walsall town centre, ended up in court after he sold a 16-year-old volunteer a strawberry Elf Bar. Singh pleaded guilty at a hearing at Dudley Magistrates Court on September 18, and was fined £123. He must also pay a victim surcharges of £49 and £1,275 costs.

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Fone Masterz Ltd of Darlaston, and employee Natalie Cumberbatch, 38, were also prosecuted after a volunteer, 16, purchased a Strawberry Kiwi Elf Bar vape without ID checks. At court on September 11, Cumberbatch received a 12-month conditional discharge and was ordered to pay a £26 victim surcharge. Fone Masterz Ltd's director Mohammed Hanif Khan was fined £161, with victim surcharges of £64 and £800 costs,.

Mana Vapes Ltd of Pelsall, and Omar Aziz, of Spark Road, Manchester, were also prosecuted after a 16-year-old volunteer was sold a Strawberry Ice Cream SKE Crystal disposable vape bar by Aziz, who failed to carry out ID checks. At a hearing on September 11, they were found guilty in their absence.

A fine of £660 was handed to Mana Vapes Ltd, which was also ordered to pay £700 in costs. Aziz was also fined £660 with £700 in costs , plus a £264 victim surcharge.

Walsall Council leader, Councillor Garry Perry, said: “Businesses and their staff need to be aware that failing to ask for ID when selling age-restricted products like vapes can have serious consequences. Walsall residents have told us through our We are Walsall 2040 consultation that community safety is a major priority for the borough.

"The work of our Trading Standards team is helping to protect young people from harm, keeping communities safe, and supporting vibrant business communities by tackling rogue traders who break the law. These prosecutions send a clear message—if you break the law, you will be held accountable."