Birmingham Teen Shop Worker Fined for Selling Vape to 15-Year-Old

A 15-year-old successfully purchased a vape from a convenience store in Birmingham without being asked for proof of age, a court has heard.

Birmingham City Council’s trading standards team conducted a test purchase operation at Mushy’s convenience store on Fairfax Road, where the incident took place on 29 October last year.

Kamran Shinwari, 19, was working in his brother’s store at the time and sold a Hayati Promax 6000+ puffs vape to the underage volunteer involved in the operation.

Shinwari pleaded guilty to the offence at a hearing on 7 July. He was fined and ordered to pay costs.

On 27 August, the company Mushy’s Ltd faced the same charge of selling nicotine products to someone under the age of 18.

Prosecutor Kate Simms, representing Birmingham City Council, emphasised: “This has an effect on children and the community. Trading Standards is focusing on underage sales and the significant impact they have. These offences are serious. The 15-year-old was able to purchase the vape without being challenged or asked for any proof of age.”

Mushtaq Shinwari, director of Mushy’s, told the court that staff had been “trained to a high standard”. He stated that all employees were instructed to verify customers' ages, check ID, and refuse sales if verification failed. He also confirmed the store maintains a refusals book that staff must complete when sales are denied.

The magistrates fined Mushy’s Ltd £440 and ordered the company to pay £176 and prosecution costs of £650.

At a hearing on 2 July, the court was informed that Kamran Shinwari had no prior convictions and had pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity.

Shinwari addressed the magistrates: “It is my first time, we are all human. I made a mistake but it will never happen again.”

He was fined £250, and additionally ordered to pay a £100 surcharge and prosecution costs of £400.