A Dagenham shop owner has been fined £950 for selling cigarettes to a 14-year-old child.

Ecevit Orman, from Ottoman Stores in Reede Road, faced prosecution after a member of staff sold a packet of ten Mayfair cigarettes to a 14-year-old.

The sale took place during a routine Trading Standards test purchase operation on March 2.

Orman appeared at Barkingside Magistrates Court on Friday, November 10 where he was charged in relation to the Children and Young Persons Act 1993.

The court judged the premises to have no training or systems in place to prevent the sale of age restricted products.

Councillor Laila Butt, cabinet member for enforcement and community safety, said: “This is a message we want businesses to hear loud and clear. We welcome businesses but will not tolerate any retailers selling cigarettes to children under the age of 18.”