A Bedford shop owner has been ordered to pay almost £9,000 after selling a vape to a 14-year-old girl, despite a history of previous Trading Standards action at the store.
Salar Ahmed, 48, owner and company director of Kaka Super Shop Limited at 2b Dane Street, Bedford, appeared before Luton Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (20 January).
Ahmed, of Waterside Crescent, Oldbury, pleaded guilty to two separate offences under the Children and Families Act 2014 and the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2025, following a test purchase operation by Bedford Borough Council on Friday, 11 April 2025.
Magistrates imposed a total penalty of £8,887.50, including fines, victim surcharge and costs, and ordered a 28-day collection order.
History of illegal sales
The court heard that Kaka Super Shop Limited had a history of illegal sales and Trading Standards action.
Officers had previously:
- Seized 2,000 illegal cigarettes and 265 illegal vapes in June 2024
- Seized 200 illegal cigarettes and 40 illegal vapes in October 2024
- Seized 1,440 illegal cigarettes, 0.6kg of hand rolling tobacco and 13 illegal vapes in October 2024
There was also a test purchase operation in December 2024, when a vape was sold to a 14-year-old, and in February 2025, when the store sold cigarettes that were not in plain standardised packaging and did not have the prescribed pictorial warnings or English wording as required under UK law.
“We will not tolerate this”
Cllr Phillippa Martin-Moran-Bryant (Conservative/Great Barford), portfolio holder for housing and regulatory services, said, “Vapes pose significant health risks to our young people, which is why selling them to children is illegal.
“But Kaka Super Shop Limited has repeatedly failed in its legal responsibilities, despite all of our previous interventions and clear guidance.
“This latest prosecution sends a strong message that we will not tolerate such behaviour in Bedford Borough. Our Trading Standards team will continue to take robust action to protect young residents, support legitimate businesses and ensure businesses comply with the law.”
The council is urging all retailers to prioritise staff training and implement robust procedures to prevent the sale of age-restricted products to children.
Residents who have concerns about businesses selling age-restricted products to minors can report them to Bedford Borough Council’s Trading Standards team by emailing ehadmin@bedford.gov.uk
By reporting concerns, the council says residents can help ensure businesses follow the law and protect children from harm.
Learn more about underage sales in Bedford Borough at the council’s website.
Further advice for consumers and businesses in Bedford Borough is available at bedford.gov.uk/business/trading-standards.
