Company is fined for underage knife sale in Islington

A company in Islington has been left facing a bill of more than £400 following an underage knife sale.

Paradise Pound Plus Ltd, the owner of the shop of the same name at 189 Holloway Road N7, was fined £150 by Highbury Corner Magistrates after pleading guilty to selling a knife to a 17-year-old.

The sale took place on 16 June 2015, when an underage volunteer working with the council’s Trading Standards team was able to purchase a ‘Cook & Eat’ brand paring knife with an 8cm blade. 

The knife was also displayed openly in the shop, despite council and police advice to retailers to lock away knives or to keep them safely behind the counter.

Because of the seriousness of the offence Islington Council took a decision to prosecute.  At the court hearing on 11 February 2016, the company was also required to pay a victim surcharge of £25 and council costs of £235.

The knife was the same brand and type as two sold by City Supermarket, of 190 Goswell Road, to a 17-year-old in June 2014, which were used minutes later in an attack that left a man with life-threatening wounds.

Cllr Paul Convery, Islington Council’s executive member for community safety, said: “It’s completely unacceptable that a small number of shops still sell knives without proper checks, despite repeated advice from the council and police.

“We have seen before how an underage knife sale can lead directly to a violent crime and we will take action against businesses that ignore the law.

“We will also push for strong sentences against shops that do make underage sales.  In this case the fine and costs awarded were disappointingly low.”

Traders who want help and advice on best practice to avoid making underage knife sales should see www.islington.gov.uk/tradingstandards or email trading.standards@islington.gov.uk .