A shopkeeper who persistently sold alcohol to children and dodged tobacco tax has avoided jail.
Rawa Kader Ahmed, who runs Pop In in Littlehampton High Street, was found guilty at Portsmouth Crown Court this month for a string of trading offences, including selling alcohol to a minor and the fraudulent evasion of duty on tobacco products.
During sentencing, the judge said Ahmed, of Shelby Road, Worthing, showed no remorse and was incapable of telling the truth.
After hearing he had previously been prosecuted for similar offences in 2017 when he ran Worthing News in Rowlands Road, Worthing, the judge sentenced him to six months in prison, suspended for 18 months.
Ahmed, 31, was found guilty under section 170(2) of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 for knowingly being involved in the fraudulent evasion of duty on tobacco products between July 21 2022 and March 30 2023.
He was also charged under section 146(1) of the Licensing Act 2003 after two cans of Gordon’s Pink Gin & Tonic, each with an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 5%, were sold to a child volunteer under the age of 18.
Ahmed was sentenced to 100 hours unpaid community work and his company Bilbas Ltd fined £2000. He was also disqualified from being a director for five years.
Full costs were awarded of £4870.56 to be paid in 28 days. Forfeiture and destruction of the illicit tobacco was also ordered.
Following Ahmed’s prosecution, Jihad Nawzad Hamed sought to regain possession of the premises, and applied for an injunction at Worthing County Court.
However, Bate and Albon Solicitors on behalf of the landlord defended the case, relying heavily on evidence from Trading Standards.
The court dismissed Hamed’s injunction request after concerns were raised over the accuracy of his statements regarding his involvement in the sale of illicit tobacco.
The judge also awarded the landlord £4,008 in costs. This decision ensures that Pop In will remain closed until Hamed’s application for relief from forfeiture can be heard by the court, preventing further illegal activity in the interim.
Cllr Duncan Crow, West Sussex County Council’s cabinet member for community support, said: “This prosecution sends a clear message that West Sussex County Council will not accept the illegal sale of age-restricted and duty-evaded products.
“Illegal tobacco and alcohol have devastating consequences, particularly for children and vulnerable residents.
“These practices undermine community trust, harm public health and put children at risk. I commend the hard work of our Trading Standards team in holding individuals and businesses accountable and protecting residents.”
