Dalston shop owner ‘brought to justice’ after selling knife to child

Kingsland High Street, where the shop (not pictured) was located. Photograph: Lizzie McAllister

A Dalston convenience store owner has been convicted and fined for selling a knife to a minor.

Muhammed Syed, owner of Madina Pound Plus on Kingsland High Street, pleaded guilty to selling a knife to the 14-year-old at Thames Magistrates Court on Wednesday, 11 November.

The offence, which took place on 28 May, 2025, saw local police cadets attempt to buy age-restricted products as part of a test purchasing operation by Hackney Council and the Metropolitan Police. 

Hackney Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Regulatory Services, Susan Fajana Thomas, said: “I’m appalled to see a local business flouting the rules in a borough where we have done so much to protect our young people from the tragedy knife crime can bring.

“That’s why I’m delighted to see this business owner brought to justice, and proud of the work our trading standards team does to challenge traders who put money before the safety of their customers and our community.”

The knife was bought as part of a test purchasing operation by Hackney Council and the Metropolitan Police. Photograph: Hackney Council

In the UK, it is illegal to sell knives to people under the age of 18. Officials encourage retailers to implement a Challenge 25 policy and request ID from anyone seeking to buy a knife who looks like they could be younger than 25.

In 2021, the London Trading Standards relaunched their Responsible Retailer Agreement to stamp out the sale of knives to underage purchasers. This followed an investigation by the organisation which found more than half (55%) of attempts by testers under the age of 25 had been successful. 

Mr Syed also pleaded guilty in the same trial to illegally displaying a ‘no refunds’ sign, which is banned under new legislation which came into force in April of this year.

The government website reads: “It’s illegal to display any notice that deliberately misleads consumers or deceives them about their rights, for example a sign that says you do not accept returns or offer refunds.”

The ‘no refunds’ sign from Mr Syed’s shop. Photograph: Hackney Council

Retailers must offer refunds in some instances, for example if a customer has unknowingly purchased a faulty product. The new legislation was introduced in a bid to quell unfair trading practices.

Hackney Council said in a press release that Mr Syed had ignored advice from its trading standards team about underage knife sales and proof of age standards in visits to his business.

He was fined £1,046 for the offences, with a further £2,000 in costs awarded to Hackney Council and a victim surcharge of £418.