Tameside business prosecuted for knife sale to a person under 18

A Hyde shop owner and employee have been sentenced by Tameside magistrates after pleading guilty to selling a kitchen knife to a person under 18.  

Tameside Magistrates’ Court heard that on 29 May 2025 Tameside Council trading standards officers conducted a test purchase operation to seven retailers in Tameside in partnership with officers and volunteer cadets from Greater Manchester Police.

Tameside magistrates were told that all retailers had been written to, giving them notice that a test purchase was likely to be carried out and providing advice on the relevant legislation and the due diligence procedure that should be in place to avoid breaking the law.

Despite this, the court was told that the Big Discount Bargain Store, Market Street, Hyde sold a kitchen knife to the 14-year-old test purchasers.   

Both the owner of the business, Mr Akram Khan of Mayfield Road, Gorton and the seller pleaded guilty to the offence under section 141A of the Criminal Justice Act 1988.

During the proceedings on 21 May 2026, Mr Khan was sentenced to a 12-month Community Order with 100 hours of unpaid work and five Rehabilitation Activity Requirement Days. The magistrates ordered him to pay a £114 victim surcharge and a contribution towards prosecution costs of £430.

The seller was sentenced to a 12-month Community Order with 55 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay a £114 Victim Surcharge and a contribution towards prosecution costs of £100.

Tameside Council Executive Member for Environmental Services and Neighbourhoods Cllr Laura Boyle said: “Selling knives to anyone under 18 is a serious offence and puts young people and our communities at risk.

“I’m proud of our trading standards team for this successful prosecution and their continued work to keep Tameside safe.

“It is crucial that retailers take their legal responsibilities seriously. We will continue to support responsible businesses, but we will not hesitate to take enforcement action where the law is broken.”