OWNER of Loughton builders merchant pleads guilty to under-age knife sales

Hardip Hundal, the owner of Valley Hill Builders Merchant, 2 Valley Hill, Loughton, IG10 3AA has yesterday (Wednesday 11 November) pleaded guilty to the sale of a knife to an under 18-year-old, contrary to section 141A of the Criminal Justice Act 1988, as a result of an Essex Trading Standards investigation.

Hardip Hundal, of Pump Hill, Loughton – owner of the business, was sentenced at Southend Magistrates Court to a 12-Month Conditional Discharge as well as £750 costs.

Kuldip Dhaliwal of Millwards, Harlow – an employee and then, manager of the business who actually made the sale failed to attend court and there is now a warrant issued for his arrest without bail.

The conviction comes following an Essex Trading Standards investigation during 2019.

Essex Trading Standards brought the prosecution under The Criminal Justice Act 1988.

With knife crime amongst young people on the rise, Essex Trading Standards in conjunction with partners, Epping Forest District Council and Essex Police – carried out a series of underage knife test purchases in the Epping Forest District.

On the 16th July 2019, Trading Standards Officers carried out an underage test purchase operation at Valley Hill Builders Merchant, 2 Valley Hill, Loughton, IG10 3AA, with a 16-year-old volunteer. The visit to the premises was as a result of a sale of a knife made during a previous test purchase operation in May 2019.

After the first sale the business owner and employee were warned formally in writing, in line with the Trading Standards Prosecution Policy, they were also given comprehensive advice in order to assist with future compliance with the law.

Following the second sale – on investigation, the business hadn’t adopted the advice given; there was no age restricted sales policy (such as Challenge 21 or 25) in place, or staff training in regard to age restricted products.

Essex Trading Standards takes a graduated approach and when advice and guidance is found to be ineffective then it becomes necessary to act resolutely against those who make illegal sales of knives, with all the related risks of violent crime and disorder that can result. The desired outcome is ultimately to make communities safer.

Cllr Susan Barker, Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Customer, Corporate, Culture and Communities said: “Yesterday’s sentencing sends a clear message to individuals that continue to break the law. The importance of protecting young people, in ensuring that retailers do not sell knives to those under the age of 18, cannot be overstated. To achieve this, effective enforcement is absolutely key.”