Abu Ubaid, director of Nuha & Aidah Limited, pleaded guilty to the offence at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, June 17, following a test purchase carried out by Waltham Forest trading standards.
The sale took place at Joey’s Discount Store in Lea Bridge Road on August 22, 2024.
The store owner told the court he had left a trainee in charge due to a family emergency.
The trainee told officers she did not realise selling a knife to a minor was illegal.
Councillor Khevyn Limbajee, Waltham Forest’s cabinet member for community safety, said: “Leaving an unattended trainee in charge of a business is a grave abdication of responsibility and an unacceptable excuse for the underage sale of a potentially dangerous weapon.
“We owe it to our residents to protect them from such recklessness and we will prosecute anyone who fails to protect young people and Waltham Forest more widely from harm.”
During further checks, officers also uncovered counterfeit cigarettes and e-cigarettes.
Mr Ubaid claimed the tobacco products were not for sale and had been given to him as a gift for personal use.
The court ordered the company to pay £8,333 for the underage sale of a kitchen knife and £3,666 for possession of illegal cigarettes and vapes.
An additional £2,000 was imposed as a victim surcharge, along with £1,399 in costs, bringing the total penalty to £15,398.
Residents are encouraged to report concerns about businesses to trading standards.
