On 29 September 2024, Marcus Hilton, director of Prosecco 1754 Limited was fined £1400 and ordered to pay costs of £2000 for breaching The Food Safety Act 1990 by making misleading claims on Prosecco wine marketed and sold by the company. The company received a fine of £2700 and also ordered to pay £2000 costs. The business was convicted after misleadingly advertising ‘Skinny’ Prosecco 1754 and ‘Skinny’ Rose Prosecco 1754, which purported to have reduced calories.
On Thursday 19 September 2024, at Kirklees Magistrates Court the former Director of Hudds News LTD, Shahram Ahmed Karim, was fined £440, ordered to pay costs of £400 and a victim surcharge of £176, having pleaded guilty to offences under The Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016. The Court also ordered the forfeiture of all seized property.
On the 22nd August 2024, E & G Ltd who operate the business Raja Brothers, 105 Lodge Lane, Leeds LS11 6EP, did not attend Kirklees Magistrates Court and the company was found guilty in its absence of the sale of an electronic cigarette containing nicotine to a child under the age of 18, an offence under the Nicotine Inhaling Products (Age of Sale and Proxy Purchasing) Regulations 2015. The company was fined £1000, with a victim surcharge of £400 and costs awarded of £2134.
On the 22nd August 2024, Mr Payman Bahrami from Keighley appeared at Kirklees Magistrates Court regarding the sale of two 330ml cans of AU Vodka Soda with an ABV of 5% to a child under the age of 18. The drinks were sold from European Food, 46-48 North Street, Keighley, BD21 3SE.
On the 1st August 2024, Mr Karwan Mustapha from Bradford appeared at Bradford Magistrates Court regarding the sale of a disposable electronic cigarette to a child under the age of 18 from his business Shipley Superstore (Bradford) Limited trading as Shipley Superstore, 9 Market Square, Shipley, BD18 3QB. The electronic cigarette also did not comply with The Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 as it had a tank capacity greater than 2 ml and was not registered with the MHRA.
On the 22nd July 2024, Mr Sohaib Mohammad from Bradford appeared at Kirklees Magistrates Court regarding the sale of a disposable electronic cigarette to a child under the age of 18 from his business Briggate Phones Limited, 55 Briggate, Leeds, LS2 8JD. Mr Mohammad, the Director of the business, pleaded guilty to the company committing the offence under the Nicotine Inhaling Products (Age of Sale and Proxy Purchasing) Regulations 2015 and the Children and Families Act and was fined £107 reduced for a guilty plea and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £43 and costs of £2172.50. Mr Mohammad also pleaded guilty to being charged with the sale of the disposable electronic cigarette to a person under the age of 18 was personally fined £184 and ordered to pay a surcharge of £74.
On Monday 22nd July 2024 at Kirklees Magistrates Court, Iqbal Sidat and his wife Rabiya Sidat were fined £235, ordered to pay £997 costs and a £94 victim surcharge each, having pleaded guilty to offences under The Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013 and The Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016.
On the 22nd July 2024, New Hey Limited trading as New Hey Store, 124 New Hey Road, Bradford appeared at Kirklees Magistrates Court to answer a case brought by West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service (WYTSS) for having for sale food that was past its Use By date.
Did you know that it is illegal to administer cosmetic fillers or Botox to people under the age of 18 for anything except genuine medical reasons? It is also illegal to arrange to administer such treatments – even if no payments have been made.
On 4th July 2024, Mr Denis ANDRUKIANIEC, the Director of Damin Grocers Limited failed to appear at Bradford Magistrates Court to answer charges relating to the sale of a disposable e-cigarette to a 13-year-old child from his business, Damian Food, 104 Gaythorne Road, Bradford BD5 8AY.
On 4th July 2024, three traders from Halifax appeared separately in Bradford Magistrates Court each to answer to the sale of an e-cigarette to a 15-year-old child. It is an offence to sell an e-cigarette to anyone under the age of 18. One of the traders also sold an e-cigarette which is illegal for sale, as it was oversized, containing more than the permitted 2ml of nicotine liquid.
JCS Convenience Store Limited, guilty of offences under the Nicotine Inhaling Products (Age of Sale and Proxy Purchasing) Regulations 2015 and the Children and Families Act 2014 and issued a fine of £660 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £264 and costs of £1,928.43, totalling £,2852.43.
On the 25th May 2024, a confiscation order was made for £118,235.00 against Mr Sajid HUSSAIN following a previous conviction for selling counterfeit clothing using social media pages as a platform to sell to consumers across the country
An operation in Halifax between West Yorkshire Trading Standards, West Yorkshire Police from Halifax and Wagtail UK, targeting dealers of cheap and illicit tobacco resulted in a seizure of almost 420,000 cigarettes, 14.85kg of Hand Rolling Tobacco, 590 Oversize Vapes & 48 pouches of shisha tobacco. If genuine, the value of the seizure would be over £350,000 with a loss of duty to the tax payer of almost £200,000. A quantity of cash was also seized, believed to be the proceeds of crime from the sales of illicit tobacco.
On 25th April 2024, Mrs Nitu Manchanda from Bradford appeared at Bradford Magistrates Court to answer the charge of selling alcohol to a child under the age of 18 at the premises Simply Local – Best One, 2-4 Highfield Road, Bradford, BD2 2AT. Mrs Manchanda pleaded guilty to the offence under the Licensing Act 2003. The Magistrates gave credit to Mrs Manchanda for her early guilty plea and ordered her to pay a fine of £198, a surcharge of £79 and cost of £1000, totalling £1277.
On 18th April 2024, Mr Mohammed Jamal from Bradford appeared at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates’ Court regarding the sale of a bottle of Corona 4.5% lager to a child under the age of 18, at Lynxes Off Licence, 42 Sunbridge Road, Bradford, BD1 2AB.
On the 18th of March 2024, a confiscation order was made for £58,755.37 against Mr Saman Amin following a previous conviction for selling illicit cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco from his business, Chapel Street Convenience Store, 21-23 Chapel Street, Halton, Leeds, LS15 7RN. The benefit from the offending was agreed as £239,779.68 and his available assets were calculated as £58,755.37. He has been given three months to pay.
No Smoking Day is one of the UK’s biggest health awareness campaigns, it provides a supportive environment for people to quit smoking. It also highlights the many sources of help and advice available to smokers who want to give up the habit. West Yorkshire Trading Standards is encouraging smokers to take the first step in giving up smoking for good, by making a pledge on No Smoking Day which takes place on Wednesday 13th March.
On 29th February 2024, Milano Market Ltd of Wakefield and the company director Mr Mehran Rostami of Sheffield were due to appear at Kirklees Magistrates Court to answer the charges of selling an oversized electronic cigarette to a 14-year-old child at the premises Milano Market, 91 Kirkgate, Wakefield, WF1 1JG.
On 29th February 2024, Mengstaeb Kahsay of Leeds appeared at Kirklees Magistrates Court to answer the charge of selling cigarettes to a 13 year old child. Mr Kahsay, who has since sold his business, traded as Citispace Stores, 45 Byron Street, Leeds, LS2 7QJ, pleaded guilty to committing the offence under the Children and Young Persons Act 1933.
On 8th February 2024, 24hr General Market Ltd, Bradford and Maria Tirnakova of Bradford appeared at Bradford Magistrates Court to answer the charge of selling cigarettes to a 15 year old child. The Magistrates found the company guilty of the offence under the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 and issued a fine of £1000, victim surcharge of £400 and costs of £2200 totalling £3600 for the company. The Magistrates gave credit to Maria Tirnakova for entering an early guilty plea and also for the fact that she was not employed by the 24hr General Market Ltd as a shop assistant but as a cleaner and consequently had not received any training in relation to age restricted products and underage sales. Maria Tirnakova was issued with a fine of £120, victim surcharge of £48 and costs of £200, totalling £368.
On 16th January 2024 Officers from West Yorkshire Trading Standards and Leeds City Council, along with Councillors Eleanor Thomson and Oliver Edwards, came together to implement a Cold Calling Control Zone in Shakespeare Road, Shakespeare Close, Stanley Grove and Nunroyd Avenue in Guiseley.
On 18th December 2023, Mr Safi Sanehy from Batley appeared at Kirklees Magistrates Court for selling a disposable e-cigarette containing nicotine to a person under the age of 18 from his business Sanehy Stores, 3A Harefield Drive, Batley WF170PQ. Mr Sanehy pleaded guilty to committing the offence under the Children and Families Act 2014 and was fined £550 reduced to £366 for a guilty plea. He was also ordered to pay a surcharge of £146 and costs of £1,000.
On 30th November 2023, Mr Badir Shah of Bradford appeared at Bradford Magistrates Court to answer charges relating to the sale of an oversized disposable electronic cigarette to a 13-year-old child from his business, Phones and Vapes of 16 Beckside Road, Bradford, BD7 2JL. Mr Shah pleaded guilty to committing offences under the Nicotine Inhaling Products (Age of Sale and Proxy Purchasing) Regulations 2015 and The Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 and was fined £600 reduced to £400 for a guilty plea. He was also ordered to pay a surcharge of £160 and pay costs of £1028.
On 28th November 2023, Mr Jigminkumar Gandhi and Mr Kartavya Patel from Huddersfield appeared at Kirklees Magistrates Court for selling alcohol to a 15 year old child from Go Local, Close Hill Lane Stores, 62a Close Hill Lane, Huddersfield, HD4 6JY. Mr Gandhi, the owner of the business, and his employee, Mr Patel, were both found guilty of committing the offence under the Licensing Act 2003.
On 15th November 2023, HD Corner Limited trading as HD Corner, 2 Cross Church Street, Huddersfield appeared at Kirklees Magistrates Court to answer a case brought by West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service (WYTSS). The company was accused of having for sale counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco along with cigarettes and tobacco which were not in plain packaging or carrying the Health Warning in English. The Company also had for sale disposable electronic cigarettes which had a tank capacity in excess of the maximum allowed 2ml.
On the 31st October 2023, Yalaw Shop Limited trading as The Yellow Shop, Station Road, Horsforth appeared at Kirklees Magistrates Court to answer a case brought by West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service (WYTSS) for having for sale counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco along with cigarettes and tobacco which were not in plain packaging or carrying the Health Warning in English. The Company also had for sale disposable electronic cigarettes which had a tank capacity in excess of 2 ml and nicotine strength greater than 20 mg/ml as laid down by regulations
On the 5th October 2023, Mr Muhammad Nabaaz from Bradford appeared at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates Court for sentencing as the Director of Wibsey Local Ltd, having previously pleaded guilty to offences relating to having in his possession counterfeit cigarettes in breach of trademark rules. The cigarettes were not in standardised packaging and did not bear a Health Warning in English. Mr Nabaaz had also pleaded guilty to having available to supply disposable electronic cigarettes which had a tank capacity more than the prescribed 2 ml.
On 28 September 2023, three traders from Calderdale appeared separately in Bradford Magistrates Court each to answer the charge of selling an e-cigarette to a 15-year-old child. It is an offence to sell an e-cigarette to anyone under the age of 18. Two of the traders also sold e-cigarettes that were illegal for sale, as they were oversized, containing more than the permitted 2ml of nicotine liquid.
Stoptober is back for 2023, with the primary aim of encouraging the nation’s smokers to make a quit attempt for the month of October and beyond. As with previous Stoptober campaigns, this year’s campaign is founded on the evidence that if a smoker can quit for 28 days, they are five times more likely to quit for good. Stoptober is one of the UK’s biggest health awareness campaigns that provides a supportive environment to quit smoking and highlights the many sources of help and advice available to smokers who want to give up the habit.
Peter Grant Holbrook aged 75, who purported to be a Financial Advisor admitted to defrauding vulnerable clients of almost £1 million pounds, has been sentenced today at Bradford Crown Court and has received a 5 year 3 month custodial sentence for offences under the Fraud Act 2006.
On 8th September 2023, Mr Muhammad Junaid, the Director of Rehmat’s Hati Mini Market Ltd trading as Go Local of Royds Drive, New Mill Holmfirth appeared at Kirklees Magistrates Court regarding the sale of alcohol to a child under the age of 18 from his business. Mr Junaid, as Director, pleaded not guilty to committing offences under the Licensing Act 2003. The Court found Mr Junaid guilty after a trial and he was fined £600 - he was also ordered to pay a surcharge of £240 and pay costs of £2200, a total of £3040.
On 6th September Officers from West Yorkshire Police and West Yorkshire Trading Standards came together to implement a Cold Calling Control Zone in Wellington Gardens, Leeds. The zone is funded by the Bramley & Stanningley Councillors Kevin Ritchie, Tom Hinchcliffe & Caroline Gruen. This zone has been introduced as a result of the residents being targeted by doorstep criminals and rogue traders.
On Monday 4th September 2023 at Leeds Magistrates Court, Aamir Masood of BK Stores of Harehills was fined £3840, ordered to pay a contribution towards the prosecution costs of £1888.02 and a £1536 victim surcharge having pleaded guilty to offences under the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013.
On the 4th August 2023, Mr Tariq Ameen from Huddersfield appeared at Kirklees Magistrates Court for selling illicit cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco from his business, Food Plus - Pewex, 229A Bradford Road, Huddersfield, HD1 6EW. Mr Ameen pleaded guilty and was issued a fine of £120 with a victim surcharge of £48 and ordered to pay £400 towards the costs of West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service (WYTSS).
Two brothers from Dewsbury have each received a 12 month community order after pleading guilty to offences under the Trade Marks Act 1994 and a number of food hygiene offences, including failing to register a food business.
On the 14th July 2023, Mr Saman Amin from Wakefield appeared at Leeds Crown Court for selling illicit cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco from his business, Chapel Street Convenience Store, 21-23 Chapel Street, Halton, Leeds, LS15 7RN. Mr Amin had previously pleaded guilty in June and was sentenced to a 10 months prison sentence which was suspended for 18 months and also ordered to complete 200 hours unpaid work.
Mrs Ruqueya Iqbal who trades as Cloud Empire, 3 Church Lane, Newsome, Huddersfield, HD4 6JE & Mr Amreek Singh, Director of Elite E-cigs Ltd, from Stretford, Manchester trading as The Vape Store, 6 Market Place, Huddersfield, HD1 2AN, appeared separately at Kirklees Magistrates Court to each answer a charge of selling an e-cigarette to a 15-year-old child. Both Mrs Iqbal and Mr Singh pleaded guilty to the offences committed under the Nicotine Inhaling Products (Age of Sale and Proxy Purchasing) Regulations 2015, The Children and Families Act 2014 and the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016.
On the 29th of June 2023, Mr Imtiyaz Mamaniyat, the Director of Newsline Store Ltd, 7 George Street, Halifax failed to appear at Bradford Magistrates Court to answer a charge of selling a bottle of Glen Vodka 37.5% ABV to a child under the age of 18 from his business, which trades as Immy G’s. In his absence the Magistrates found Mr Mamaniyat guilty of the offence under the Licensing Act 2003
Sheraz Ahmed of Diamond Vapes UK Ltd pleaded guilty to the company committing offences under the Children and Families Act 2014 and The Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 and was fined £3000 reduced to £2000 for a guilty plea. He was also ordered to pay a surcharge of £800 and pay costs of £3000.
Fone Den Plus Ltd from Batley and the sole director, Hama Amin Wahab Zahid from Huddersfield appeared at Kirklees Magistrates Court for sentencing in relation to offences under the Trade Marks Act 1994.
On the 1st June 2023, Abdulrehman Patel and Habibur Patel, from Batley appeared at Kirklees Magistrates Court for selling a disposable electronic cigarette to a person under the age of 18 at Patsons News, 15 Branch Road, Batley, WF17 7RX
Wibsey Local Ltd was fined £8000, ordered to pay a surcharge of £190 and costs of £5000 for having for sale counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco along with cigarettes and tobacco which were not in plain packaging or carrying the Health Warning in English and illegal disposable electronic cigarettes.
Against a backdrop of the government’s latest fraud strategy, with a plan to reduce fraud by 10% on 2019 levels by 2025, West Yorkshire Trading Standards (WYTS) is launching on You Tube its community awareness videos on a range of different scams, frauds and doorstep issues that residents in West Yorkshire regularly fall victim to.
On 4th May 2023, Mr Bawan Rassoul from Huddersfield appeared at Kirklees Magistrates Court regarding the sale of cigarettes to a child under the age of 18 from his business Mero’s Mini-market Ltd, 254 Lockwood Road, Huddersfield, HD2 3TG. Mr Rassoul pleaded guilty to the company committing the offence under the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 and was fined £660 reduced to £440 for a guilty plea. He was also ordered to pay a surcharge of £176 and pay costs of £1599.79. Mr Rassoul also pleaded guilty charged with permitting the sale of cigarettes to persons under the age of 18 through his business.
Five defendants each convicted in March 2020 for their part in a fraud conspiracy which targeted elderly and vulnerable consumers, have had their assets stripped from them as the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 proceedings against them concluded.
Mr Mohammed Tasawar trading as Yorkshire Motor Village pleaded guilty to offences under the General Product Safety Regulations Act 2005 regarding offering for sale two unsafe cars. Mr Tasawar was fined £576 and was ordered to pay £4279.66 towards the prosecution costs and £210 legal fees.
No Smoking Day is one of the UK’s biggest health awareness campaigns, it provides a supportive environment for people to quit smoking. It also highlights the many sources of help and advice available to smokers who want to give up the habit. West Yorkshire Trading Standards is encouraging smokers to take the first step in giving up smoking for good, by making a pledge on No Smoking Day which takes place on Wednesday 8th March.
Omer Mohammed Karim Jaf was fined £207, ordered to pay a contribution towards the prosecution costs of £640 and a £34 surcharge having pleaded guilty to offences under the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013.
West Yorkshire Trading Standards has seized its 10 millionth illicit cigarette. An operation took place last week where illicit tobacco products were found in 3 vehicles, in a hydraulic ceiling concealment and a wall hide to push the team across the 10 million mark. The concealments show the lengths traders will go to in order to hide their illegal activities.
As well as the 10 million illicit cigarettes, the programme has also taken more than 3 tonnes of illicit hand rolling tobacco off the streets of West Yorkshire. With more inspections planned in the coming weeks, these figures are set to increase.
Trust Eco Ltd, a Holmfirth based plumbing business was found guilty, in its absence, of installing a radiator which was unsafe, contrary to The General Product Safety Regulations 2005
Mr Salam Mohammed owner of Gihan Grocery Stores, Harehills, Leeds was sentenced to community service and fined.
Stoptober is back for 2022, with the primary aim of encouraging the nation’s smokers to make a quit attempt for the month of October and beyond. As with previous Stoptober campaigns, this year’s campaign is founded on the evidence that if a smoker can quit for 28 days, they are five times more likely to quit for good.
On the 16th June 2022, Mr Aziz Salah Abdullah from Bradford appeared at Bradford Magistrates Court for selling illicit cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco from his business, Doskey Food Store, 178 Paley Road, Bradford, BD4 7EP. Mr Abdullah was sentenced to 6 months custody on all counts to be served concurrently. The sentence was reduced from 9 months custody to reflect his early guilty plea.
On the 25th April 2022, Ms Daria Wojciechowska from Calderdale appeared at Bradford Crown Court for selling illicit cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco from the business, Euro Market, 206-208 Queens Road, Halifax, HX1 4NE. Ms Wojciechowska was sentenced to a 12 month community order with a requirement to undertake 150 hours of unpaid work. She is also required to pay £700 towards prosecution costs and a victim surcharge of £85.
On the 22nd March 2022, Mr Karzan Abdullah from Huddersfield appeared at Leeds Crown Court for selling illicit cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco from his business, Town News Huddersfield Ltd trading as Town News of 8A John William Street Huddersfield HD1 1BA. Mr Abdullah previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 8 weeks immediate imprisonment. Mr Abdullah is the third illicit tobacco dealer to be sent to prison this year.
Two individuals have been prosecuted by Leeds City Council after defrauding the Direct Care Payment process, whilst supposedly acting as carers to a disabled man with care and support needs.
Samantha ROWLEY and her friend Lynne BARRATT were subject of a criminal investigation by the West Yorkshire Financial Exploitation and Abuse Team (WYFEAT), a multi-agency task force working on behalf of Leeds City Council, following concerns that the two had fraudulently claimed Direct Care payments.
On the 15th March 2022, Mr Mohammad Riaz from Bradford appeared at Bradford Crown Court for selling illicit cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco from his business, Sunrise Supermarket, 93 Westfield Road, Bradford, BD9 5EF. Mr Riaz previously pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced to 28 days immediate imprisonment.
No Smoking Day is one of the UK’s biggest health awareness campaigns, it provides a supportive environment for people to quit smoking. It also highlights the many sources of help and advice available to smokers who want to give up the habit. West Yorkshire Trading Standards is encouraging smokers to take the first step in giving up smoking for good, by making a pledge on No Smoking Day which takes place on Wednesday 9th March.
On the 9th February 2022, Mr Ali Mohamad from Bradford and Mr Aram Ahmed Mohammedie from Leeds appeared at Leeds Crown Court for selling illegal cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco at their business, Mama Mia Convenience Store Ltd, 274 Harehills Lane, Leeds, LS9 7BD.
Both had previously pleaded guilty. Mr Ali Mohamad was sentenced to a 9 week custodial sentence suspended for 18 months. He is also not allowed to leave his home between 7pm-7am for 4 weeks.
Mr Aram Ahmed Mohammedie was given a community order for 18 months and ordered to complete 120 hours unpaid work.
On the 21st January 2022, Mr Kamyer Fazil Omari from Wakefield appeared at Kirklees Magistrates Court for selling illicit cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco from his business, Mini Market, 69 Station Lane, Featherstone, WF7 5BJ. Mr Omari pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 18 months and ordered to complete 200 hours unpaid work. He was also ordered to make an £800 cost contribution, due to his current financial circumstances and a £128 victim surcharge.
On the 18th January 2022, Mr Honar Rafik from Leeds, appeared at Leeds Crown Court for the involvement of his businesses in the trading of illegal tobacco. Bolek I Lolek & Tola, 223-227 Dewsbury Road, Leeds, LS11 5HZ and Carpatica, The Romanian Shop, 235 Dewsbury Road, Leeds, LS11 5HZ.
Mr Rafik pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a 6 month custodial sentence for each trademark offence, a 1 month custodial sentence for the packaging offences, all to run concurrently.
A second individual was today sentenced for his part in the supply of illicit tobacco from the business Kingsgate News, 14 Cross Church Street, Huddersfield, HD1 2PT. Following test purchases and seizures of illicit tobacco from the business and a residential address, two of the owners were brought before Kirklees Magistrates court to answer the charges brought against them.
Five members of an extended Bradford family who ran an online counterfeit clothing operation have been ordered to pay back the proceeds of their crime at a hearing at Bradford Crown Court.
Simon Goodison pleaded guilty to 8 offences under The Trademarks Act 1994 and 2 offences under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 and was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court in February 2021 to a 12 month community order with 150 hours of unpaid work.
On the 1st October 2021, Mr Omed Omar from Huddersfield appeared at Kirklees Magistrates Court for selling illicit cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco from his business Kingsgate News, 14 Cross Church Street, Huddersfield, HD1 2PT. Mr Omar pleaded guilty to committing offences under the Trade Marks Act 1994 and carrying out a business contrary to section 9 of the Fraud Act 2006 and was sentenced to a 12 month community order with a requirement to perform 150 hours unpaid work. He was also ordered to make a £500 cost contribution, due to his current financial circumstances and a £90 victim surcharge.
An operation between West Yorkshire Trading Standards, West Yorkshire Police from Leeds East, Trading Standards officers from Sheffield, North Lincs, North East Lincs, Barnsley and Doncaster, licensing officers from Leeds City Council, revenue protection officers from British Gas and Wagtail UK, targeting dealers of cheap and illicit tobacco resulted in a seizure of more than 70,000 cigarettes and 8kg of hand rolling tobacco. If genuine, the value of the cigarettes seized would be over £40,000 with a loss of duty to the tax payer of more than £25,000. A large quantity of cash was also seized, believed to be the proceeds of crime from the sales of illicit tobacco.
On the 4th August 2021, Mr Mariwan Tofiq Mustafa failed to appear at the Bradford Council Licensing Sub Committee to hear an application for the review of the licence to sell alcohol at his business Piotr I Pawel, 23 Duckworth Lane, Bradford, BD9 5ES. The alcohol licence was revoked in his absence.
On 4th August Officers from West Yorkshire Police and West Yorkshire Trading Standards came together to implement a Cold Calling Control Zone in Gledhow, Leeds. The zone funding came via the Home Office Safer Streets fund, obtained by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, and has added 239 properties to an existing zone in the area.
A 45-year-old woman and 47-year-old man have been arrested on suspicion of illegal money lending and money laundering offences, following an operation in Huddersfield.
On the 18th June 2021, Mr Jordan Corrigan from Dewsbury appeared at Kirklees Magistrates Court for selling illicit cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco from the business he was working at, Biedronka, 490 Huddersfield Road, Dewsbury, WF13 3ET. Mr Corrigan pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a 12 month Community Order, with 15 days rehabilitation attendance and 100 hours unpaid work. He was also ordered to make a £600 cost contribution, due to his current financial circumstances and a £90 victim surcharge.
On the 11th June 2021, Mr Aras Abdulkadir ALI from Leeds appeared at Kirklees Magistrates Court for selling illegal cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco at his business, Dobre Bo Polskie of 253 Dewsbury Road, Beeston LS115HZ.
On the 8th June 2021, Mr Hishyar Gully from Dewsbury appeared at Leeds Crown Court for selling illegal cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco at his business, Biedronka, 490 Huddersfield Road, Dewsbury, WF13 3ET. Mr Gully pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 months custody for the Trademark offences and a sentence of 4 months custody for the breach of the safety regulations. Those sentences were ordered to run concurrently with one another but were not suspended.
On the 18th May 2021, Mr Kirmanj Kareem Saleh from Bradford appeared at Bradford Crown Court for selling illegal cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco at his business, Bolton Road Mini Market, 1041 Bolton Road, Bradford, BD2 4LN
Two off-licences in West Yorkshire recently had their alcohol licences revoked because of their involvement in the sale of illegal tobacco products. On the 21st April 2021, the Calderdale Council Licensing Sub Committee met to hear an application for review of the licence to sell alcohol at 7 Days Mini Market, 226 Pellon Lane, Halifax, HX1 5RU.
4 multi-agency operations targeting dealers of cheap and illicit tobacco resulted in seizures totalling almost 120,000 cigarettes and more than 15kg of hand rolling tobacco. If genuine, the value of the cigarettes seized would be almost £60,000 and the hand rolling tobacco almost £5,000 bringing the total value of the seizures to £65,000.
An operation between West Yorkshire Trading Standards, West Yorkshire Police from Heckmondwike, Dewsbury and Huddersfield neighbourhood policing teams, and Kirklees Council Licensing team targeting dealers of cheap and illicit tobacco resulted in a seizure of 90,000 cigarettes and 26.5kg of hand rolling tobacco this week.
A substantial increase in the amount of nuisance and scam calls has been recorded as fraudsters seek to exploit the Coronavirus pandemic.
An operation between West Yorkshire Trading Standards and West Yorkshire Police from Bradford East targeting dealers of cheap and illicit tobacco resulted in a seizure of 125,000 cigarettes and 4.9kg of hand rolling tobacco. If genuine, the value of the cigarettes seized would be over £60,000 with a loss of duty to the tax payer of almost £40,000. A large quantity of cash was also seized by the police, believed to be the proceeds of crime from the sales of illicit tobacco.
On the 19th January 2021, Mr Giedrius Linkevicius from Bradford appeared at Bradford Magistrates Court for selling illegal cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco at 2 of his businesses, Eko Polski of 131 Legrams Lane, Bradford, BD7 2AA and 7 Days Store of 493 Sticker Lane Bradford BD4 8RB.
On Tuesday 12th January 2021 at Bradford Magistrates’ Court, Mr Mariwan Tofiq Mustafa was fined a total of £233 and victim surcharge of £32 plus £927 costs having pleading guilty to his shop supplying single cigarettes to a trading standards child test purchaser aged 15.
An operation between West Yorkshire Trading Standards and West Yorkshire Police from Bradford East and West targeting dealers of cheap and illicit tobacco resulted in a seizure of more than 210,000 cigarettes. If genuine, the value of the cigarettes seized would be over £100,000 with a loss of duty to the tax payer of more than £60,000. A large quantity of cash was also seized, believed to be the proceeds of crime from the sales of illicit tobacco.
A multi-agency operation targeting dealers of cheap and illicit tobacco resulted in a seizure of almost 140,000 cigarettes and more than 50kg of hand rolling tobacco. If genuine, the value of the cigarettes seized would be over £70,000 and the hand rolling tobacco more than £25,000 bringing the total value of the seizures to be over £95,000.
Zeeshan Khan, Director of Xenonz UK Ltd was sentenced on 26th February 2019 to a 12 month community order for 250 hours of unpaid work following a hearing at Bradford Crown Court. The defendant had previously pleaded guilty to 16 trademarks offences as a result of an investigation into the online sale of counterfeit car parts bearing the Audi trademark.
West Yorkshire Trading Standards and the five Public Health departments of West Yorkshire were Highly Commended for their Tackling Illicit Tobacco for Better Health Programme at The Municipal Journal (MJ) Awards 2020.
As the Government launches the Green Home Grants today, West Yorkshire Trading Standards (WYTS) adds further strategies for protecting consumers from fraud.
Stoptober is back for 2020, with the primary aim of encouraging the nation’s smokers to make a quit attempt for the month of October and beyond. As with previous Stoptober campaigns, this year’s campaign is founded on the evidence that if a smoker can quit for 28 days, they are five times more likely to quit for good.
West Yorkshire Trading Standards’ Cheap and Illicit Tobacco work has been shortlisted in the Public Health Improvement category of The Municipal Journal (MJ) Awards 2020, for the partnership work with colleagues from the West Yorkshire councils’ public health teams.
Last week was safeguarding week across West Yorkshire. Here at West Yorkshire Trading Standards, we endeavour to protect and support consumers in a number of ways in order to safeguard those who are most vulnerable in our communities.
During these testing times, local businesses have been providing a vital service to the communities they serve. Some businesses have been staying open longer and providing delivery services for local residents who are unable to get to the shops to buy essentials like food. However, there have also been some businesses looking to exploit the situation the country finds itself in through criminal means by supplying illicit tobacco and undercutting genuine retailers.
Are You Tobacco Free?
The chances are that most people who don’t smoke cigarettes will answer ‘Yes’ to the above question but did you know that in the UK there are over 100 different types of products other than cigarettes which contain tobacco?
We have recently decommissioned our Analytical Services laboratory and have a number of used instruments and equipment available for sale. These items were used for food and toxicology work typically seen in this type of laboratory. Many items are in good working order, the schedule we provide will indicate those that are not.
West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and West Yorkshire Trading Standards (WYTS) have joined forces to warn communities against being taken in by scams organized by those looking to exploit the situation created by COVID-19.
Nasar Munir has today been sentenced at Leeds Crown Court to 9 year and 9 months for his part in a fraud conspiracy which targeted vulnerable consumers for unnecessary, substandard and overpriced security and home improvement work. This follows the sentencing on 3rd March 2020 of his co-defendants Mohammed Mansha Abbas, Mohammed Zulfqar Abbas, Mohammed Vaqaas Abbas and Imran Shan and brings the total sentences handed down in this case to almost 30 years.
As part of No Smoking Day 2020, West Yorkshire Trading Standards in partnership with Neighbourhood Policing Teams from West Yorkshire Police and local council licensing teams carried out a series of raids on premises suspected of supplying illicit tobacco in Kirklees, Leeds, Bradford and Wakefield. The week long operation resulted in the seizure of more than 50,000 illicit cigarettes, 15kg of illicit hand rolling tobacco and the seizure of a quantity of cash suspected of being the proceeds of crime. The operation also resulted in the arrests of 2 nominals for the supply of illicit tobacco who have now been bailed pending further enquiries. If genuine, the haul would have been worth more than £32,000.
No Smoking Day is one of the UK’s biggest health awareness campaigns that provides a supportive environment to quit smoking and highlights the many sources of help and advice available to smokers who want to give up the habit. West Yorkshire Trading Standards is encouraging smokers to take the first step in giving up smoking for good by making a pledge on No Smoking Day which takes place on Wednesday 11th March.
Trading Standards first began an investigation into the activities of Bespoke Home Security Ltd and Bespoke Home Improvements Group Ltd in early 2015 following a number of complaints regarding their selling practices.
On the 28th February 2020, Adam Ali appeared at Bradford Magistrates Court for supplying illegal tobacco from his business Piotr I Pawel, 23 Duckworth Lane, Bradford, BD9 5ES. Ali pleaded guilty on all charges and was sentenced to 80 hours unpaid work over 12 months and ordered to take part in 10 sessions of ‘thinking rehabilitation skills’. He was also ordered to pay £300 towards costs and a £85 victim surcharge.
Multi agency operation targets illegal tobacco and alcohol in Calderdale
Following Storm Ciara, West Yorkshire Trading Standards is warning householders to be extra vigilant if approached by traders offering to carry out property repairs as a result of storm damage.
Predator Nutrition Limited of Silkwood Office Park, Fryers Way, Wakefield, WF5 9JT appeared before Leeds Magistrates Court on 22nd January 2020. The Company pleaded guilty to breaching an Improvement Notice under the Food Safety Act 1990, regarding their failure to stop making misleading claims about their food supplements. The Director of the Company, Rajinder Singh Johal was present and the Company was ordered to pay a fine of £4,000, costs of £5,140.10 and victim surcharge of £170.
Multi Agency Crackdown on Illegal Tobacco
A hearing at Leeds Civic Hall took place on Tuesday 8th January 2020 where Fountain Food & Wine, Fountain Street, Morley, Leeds was stripped of its alcohol licence.
Operation Kanni, carried out over the past week, was a multiagency operation with Trading Standards officers, West Yorkshire Police, Licencing, British Gas Revenue Protection and Wagtail UK, specialist tobacco detection dogs.
Trade Cars Cleckheaton Ltd of Cleckheaton Mills, Bradford Road, Cleckheaton and company director Darren Akiens (43) of York Place, Cleckheaton have been fined a total of £22,583 at Kirklees Magistrates Court for advertising vehicles which were mis-described and were dangerously unroadworthy.
Car Shop 365 Ltd of 61 Leeds Road, Shipley, Bradford and company director Hamzah Butt (25) of The Knoll, Calverley, Leeds have been fined at Bradford Magistrates Court on Friday 6th December for advertising vehicles which were mis-described.
West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service would like to inform consumers that the Turbo variety of sparklers manufactured by Klasek are subject to a product recall after a small number of recent incidents.
West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service are reminding traders of their legal responsibilities to ensure they are supplying safe fireworks and are adhering to the law by only selling them to persons of legal age.
As part of October’s National Tyre Safety Month Trading Standards Officers from across the Yorkshire and Humber region are issuing a warning to consumers who may be thinking of buying part worn tyres for their cars.
A Keighley man who was part of a £1/2 Million counterfeiting conspiracy was today ordered to pay back £38,874.93 under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 by His Honour Judge Burn at Bradford Crown Court.
Since the Summer of 2018 The new SAFER Project has continued to deliver free, informal and interactive workshops to ages 12+ and now offer 5 different workshops to priority neighbourhoods across the region. Please visit our webpage for full details of the SAFER Workshops.
West Yorkshire Trading Standards has been supporting hundreds of residents in West Yorkshire who have been targeted by scams. In the past year alone, the specialist team dedicated to dealing with scams have provided advice and support to over 500 residents who have lost over £250,000.
As part of Doorstep Crime Week, West Yorkshire Trading Standards is reminding residents to be vigilant when doing business on the doorstep. The regional campaign, covering the whole of Yorkshire and the Humber, is highlighting how consumers can people can protect themselves, and others, from rogue traders.
As part of Stoptober West Yorkshire Trading Standards and partner agencies have carried out a number of inspections at premises suspected of selling cheap and illicit tobacco. Seizures of thousands of pounds worth of illegal tobacco were made along with two vehicles that were being used to store illegal tobacco.
On the 30th August 2019 Mohammad Zada appeared at York Crown Court for sentencing having been found guilty for supplying illegal tobacco from his business International Express, 27 John William St, Huddersfield, HD1 1BL. Zada was previously found guilty on all charges on the 8th August 2019. Zada was sentenced to 12 months prison, with 6 months in custody and 6 months on licence.
On the 22nd August 2019, Patricia Gajdosova appeared at Kirklees Magistrates Court for selling illegal cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco at her business, Euro Market, 1a Bradford Rd, Dewsbury, WF13 1EL.
On the 22nd August 2019, Patricia Gajdosova appeared at Kirklees Magistrates Court for selling illegal cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco at her business, Euro Market, 1a Bradford Rd, Dewsbury, WF13 1EL.
During the summer months, home owners often look to the repair and maintenance of their homes. West Yorkshire Trading Standards wants to remind householders to be extra vigilant about traders who turn up unannounced on their doorstep offering to carry out property repair or gardening work.
On the 8th July 2019, Mohammad Zada appeared at York Crown Court for selling illegal cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco at his business, International Express, 27 John William St, Huddersfield, HD1 1BL. Zada was found guilty on all charges and is due to be sentenced on the 30th August 2019.
A number of streets in Batley are set to become Cold Calling Control Zones after an elderly resident fell victim to a rogue trader
Two individuals who were the subject of the first financial abuse prosecution by the West Yorkshire Financial Exploitation and Abuse Team (WYFEAT) were sentenced yesterday (5th August 2019) at Bradford Crown Court for offences relating to the financial exploitation and abuse of a vulnerable Calderdale resident.
The Director of a Bradford based company, Modern Herbals Ltd, has been ordered to pay a total of £7695.43 for unlawfully claiming the health benefits of various food products, including weight-loss and protection from virus claims.
West Yorkshire Trading Standards have recently undertaken project work focussing upon the butchers and farm shops across the West Yorkshire area to ensure that consumers are not being subjected to food fraud, businesses are allergen aware and weighing and measuring equipment is accurate.
The first financial abuse prosecution by the West Yorkshire Financial Exploitation and Abuse Team (WYFEAT) reached the courts last week, resulting in the conviction of two offenders who pleaded guilty to offences relating to the financial abuse of a vulnerable Calderdale resident.
West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service (WYTSS) joined forces with City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council to launch a Cold Calling Control Zone in Keighley which has been funded by the Keighley Area Committee.
West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service is keen to warn consumers about the importance of doing essential research before buying a used car.
The Energy Saving Centre Ltd who trade as Energiglass have been fined a total of £48,000 at Leeds Crown Court for breaching consumer protection legislation, repeated across the country and some offending involving elderly or vulnerable people.
Mr Wali pleaded guilty to fraudulent trading over an 18 month period and 5 offences of selling counterfeit non duty paid cigarettes and was ordered to pay costs of £1,500 plus a victim surcharge of £85 bringing his total bill to £1,585. He was also ordered to do 60 hours of unpaid work.
Mr Merza Alipoor from Bradford appeared at Bradford Magistrates Court for selling illegal cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco at his business and was found guilty.
Give up cigarettes for good by making a pledge on No Smoking Day which takes place on Wednesday 13 March.
Batley’s Historic Charter of Incorporation to be Restored in 150th Year!
Kirklees Council and West Yorkshire Archive Service are delighted to announce that as part of the Batley 150 celebrations they will be working together to restore the remarkable document that created the Borough of Batley exactly 150 years ago. The unique Charter of Incorporation, which was issued by Queen Victoria in December 1868, gave the people of Batley the power to elect a borough council who set up and ran public services for the good of the town and its people
Following an investigation by WYTSS, Zeeshan Khan, director of Xenonz UK Ltd pleaded guilty to selling counterfeit Audi parts.
Following an investigation by West Yorkshire Trading Standards, 5 people were today each sentenced at Bradford Crown Court to 2 years imprisonment.
LARGEST COUNTERFEITING CASE EVER UNDERTAKEN BY WEST YORKSHIRE TRADING STANDARDS
The West Yorkshire Trading Standards Illegal Tobacco team has been recognised regionally for its efforts in combatting the supply of cheap and illicit tobacco in the County.
Operating for 4 years, and part funded by the 5 local authority Public Health Teams, it has had some significant successes and has been awarded a Yorkshire and Humber award for going above and beyond the call of duty.
The West Yorkshire Trading Standards Illegal Tobacco team has been recognised regionally for its efforts in combatting the supply of cheap and illicit tobacco in the County.
Operating for 4 years, and part funded by the 5 local authority Public Health Teams, it has had some significant successes and has been awarded a Yorkshire and Humber award for going above and beyond the call of duty.
Following a Trading Standards investigation Bruce Kitchener, owner of Dub Beach VW Sales was found guilty of breaching Consumer Protection Regulations and received a fine.
These inspections resulted in more than 210,000 illegal cigarettes and almost 10kg of illegal hand rolling tobacco being seized. The operation was part of the activities around Stoptober, encouraging people to give up smoking.
On the 5th October 2018, Mr Valiollah Hassanzadeh who ran the Mars A Day shop, 274 Lumb Lane, Bradford, BD8 7SF appeared at Bradford Magistrates Court to answer charges relating to the underage sale of fireworks to a minor and possession for sale of imported cigarettes which did not have the required health warnings.
On the 26th October 2018, Mrs Petzold pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a 10 Month Prison Sentence, suspended for 1 year. An additional order was also made for her to do 150 hours unpaid work to cover the prosecution costs.
After an investigation by West Yorkshire Trading Standards, Kashmir Supermarket Ltd receives a fine for food fraud and selling out of date food at Leeds Magistrates Court.
Following an investigation by West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service, director of Custom Designs UK Ltd receives 8 months prison sentence suspended for 2 years
West Yorkshire Archaeology Advisory Service through their Historic Landscape Characterisation Project have brought to life the changes to land use across West Yorkshire since 1066.
Following a West Yorkshire Trading Standards investigation, owner of New Paradise takeaway of Wakefield has been fined for food substitution.
Following an investigation by WYFEAT, Safestyle UK have been fined £120,000 after pleading guilty to multiple offences of breaching consumer protection legislation.
A number of treasures from the Kirklees Archive Office can be viewed at ‘Huddersfield 150’, an exhibition that celebrates 150 years since Huddersfield was granted a Royal Charter as a Municipal Borough.
Zulkernan Hussain Mahmood who traded as UKHI Ltd, 'UK Home Improvements' and 'Energy Efficient Double Glazing' has been found guilty of a number of offences.
West Yorkshire Archaeology Advisory Service has recently published a book focusing upon the excavation of Kirkstall Abbey’s monastic guest house.
Circus 250 is a UK wide celebration of 250 years of circus in 2018. WYAS are celebrating the anniversary at West Yorkshire History Centre with an exhibition of documents from across their five offices showing circus in West Yorkshire.
Trading as UK Everest Ltd, Terry Rogers has been sentenced to 13 months imprisonment and ordered to pay £20,000 in compensation following a joint investigation.
The joint project between West Yorkshire Archive Service and Calderdale Museums Service is to coincide with of a new BBC drama entitled ‘Gentleman Jack’ which will explore Anne’s life and relationships at Shibden Hall estate in Halifax
West Yorkshire Trading Standards operates the Motor Trade Partnership. Each year, members who excel in their audits are recognised with an Excellence in Customer Service Award.
Elderly vulnerable consumers to receive compensation following investigation under the Proceeds of Crime Act
Bradford man ordered to repay criminal profits of over £460,000
Andrew Pollard (37) of Longfield Road, Leeds, who traded as “A&J Roofing Solutions Ltd” has been ordered to repay £26,472.86 to the victims of his rogue trading.
One of the earliest written references for tea was discovered in the West Yorkshire Archives on a bill from 1644 for supplies to Temple Newsam Estate.
Archaeological Services WYAS and artist David Armes working together to explore Leeds heritage through the medium of print.
Our Annual Report 2016-17 is now available and details our achievement, plans, people and financial information. Click here to download a copy.
The West Yorkshire History Centre is another step closer to opening following the completion of a new building in Kirkgate, Wakefield.
West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service are reminding traders of their legal responsibilities to ensure they are supplying safe fireworks and are adhering to the law by only selling them to persons of legal age.
Archaeologists from Archaeological Services WYAS have uncovered a picture of Leeds that is very different to the Leeds today.