A DUDLEY shop owner has been handed a suspended sentence for continuing to sell illegal vapes despite warnings from trading standards.

Karamjot Singh, of Robert Street, Dudley, appeared in Wolverhampton Crown Court on May 17 following an investigation by trading standards.

The court heard trading standards seized 420 illegal disposable vapes from Singh’s shop Dudley Drinks Stop on Wolverhampton Street, Dudley, in July 2022.

The vapes contained nicotine and their capacity exceeded the permitted 2ml limit. During this visit, Singh assured officers he would no longer sell the illegal devices.

In September that year, officers visited Liquor Well on Old Park Road, Dudley, where they seized 361 illegal vapes. Officers discovered the shop was also owned by Singh who again assured officers he would stop selling illegal vapes.

Trading standards returned to Liquor Well on October 27, 2022, to carry out an undercover operation. A 15-year-old volunteering on behalf of trading standards visited the shop and was sold a disposable vape containing nicotine. On this evidence, officers carried out an inspection and found 44 illegal vapes hidden under the counter.

Following guilty pleas entered at Wolverhampton Crown Court, Singh was given an eight-month prison sentence suspended for two years.

He was also ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work and to pay costs of £6,697.55. Forfeiture and destruction of the vapes was also ordered.

Councillor James Clinton, Dudley Council's cabinet member for public health, said: "Singh has shown complete disregard for the law and failed to listen to multiple warnings from our trading standards officers.

“We continue to support legitimate businesses in the borough but in cases like this, rogue businesses should expect a similar outcome. We cannot allow illegal vapes containing numerous harmful substances to be sold and we do not tolerate children being put at risk by these items."