Peckham trader fined for selling knife to 16 year old

27 September 2019

Southwark Council prosecution results in Peckham retailer and sales assistant, being sentenced to fines and costs of £2679.40, after being found guilty of selling a snap off knife to a child, 23 September.

Camberwell Green Magistrates heard that in February 2019, Southwark Council Trading Standards deployed a 16 year old female volunteer to test purchase knives. An under-cover community warden was in the premises to observe the sale and the operation was part of an ongoing Home Office funded program of enforcement.

It is illegal to sell knives to anyone under 18, but at Peckham Spares, 151-153 Peckham Hill Street, SE15 5TZ, Mr Jerrom White (31), of SE15, sold a £5.00, snap off knife to Southwark Council’s volunteer, even though she could not produce ID when asked if she had any.

The company that runs the store, Harpreet Bansal Limited, and the seller failed to attend court and the case was dealt with in their absence. 

Cllr Evelyn Akoto, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Public Health, said: “This trader fell well short of what we expect and sold a knife without taking the vital steps necessary to check the age of the purchaser.

“The onus is on all of us to create a safe environment for our community and we will continue to work closely with Southwark businesses, to ensure that they follow the best practice when stocking and selling knives, as we all know that in the wrong hands use of a knife can have devastating consequences.”

Page last updated: 27 September 2019