A former shopkeeper who sold a knife and potentially lethal gas to two teenagers has been ordered to pay more than £1,700.

Farzad Hamidi, who ran the now-closed Pound Plus Shop in the Heathway, Dagenham, failed to put up signs relating to underage sales while both products were easily available for puchase.

A 13-year-old volunteer managed to buy a knife and a 16-year-old male a butane cigarette lighter refill canister during two test purchases last year.

When interviewed, Hamidi said his employee was unreliable and not focused on his work.

He pleaded guilty to the offences at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court, but maintained he was of good character and the sale his employee’s fault.

The court ruled Hamidi had failed to train the employee or taken basic steps to prevent underage sales.

He was fined £720 for the two offences (£360 each), must pay a £36 victim surcharge plus £1,000 costs.