A FORDBRIDGE shop has been fined for selling a craft knife to a 17-year-old.
The knife was sold to a test purchase volunteer at the Sandhu Convenience Store – known locally as Margaret’s Store on Camplea Croft – where no age-related checks carried out.
The business is run by Balvinder Singh Chhokar and Rajinder Kaur, with the latter making the sale.
The pair pleaded guilty to the sale of an age-restricted product to a minor at Birmingham Magistrates Court.
They were each fined £293, with £100 towards costs and £175 in victim surcharge.
This is the second successful prosecution for Solihull Council for an underage knife sale arising from a test purchase operation carried out last October.
Councillor Wazma Qais, cabinet member for Communities and Leisure, said: “We are pleased with another successful prosecution for the unlawful sale of a knife in Solihull.
“These test purchase operations serve as an important and stark reminder for retailers to comply with their legal obligations.
“It only takes one knife to fall into the wrong hands and the consequences could be tragic.
“Once again, we thank our Trading Standards team for their efforts to help tackle knife crime and keep the borough safe.”
Anyone with concerns about the sale of knives in Solihull should contact the Council on 0121 704 8001.
