A businessman must pay a penalty of more than £1,000 after someone in his shop sold a knife to an underage person without his knowledge.

Halaldeen Abdul-Jabbar, owner of Harrow Pound Village in Wealdstone, pleaded guilty at Willesden Magistrate’s Court on April 10 and was ordered to pay £941, a £100 victim surcharge and £943.48 in other costs.

The court heard how a man who was not employed by Mr Abdul-Jabbar, sold a two piece “snap-off” knife to two volunteer children without asking for identification. 

The children were part of a “test purchasing” exercise by Brent and Harrow Trading Standards.

The person who sold the knife, Mr Seyed, told the court he usually worked in a restaurant and that he had served the children while he was at the Harrow Pound Village shop to borrow some money.

Brent and Harrow Trading Standards manager, Simon Legg, said: “Thankfully the knife didn’t end up in the wrong hands. 

“The law is clear – it’s an offence to sell a knife to anyone under the age of 18. 

“Every business has a responsibility to carry out checks on anyone purchasing knives – sadly in this case the owner didn’t do this and now has a big fine to pay.” 

Anyone wanting to support or discuss underage sale laws should call 03454 04 05 06 or email trading.standards@brent.gov.uk

The man sold a two piece “snap-off” knife to two volunteer children without asking for identification

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