Nelson firm fined £25,000 after selling knife to teenager in sting operation

Friday, 19 June 2026 18:15

By Central Radio News

A Nelson firm who sold a knife to a 16-year-old during a test purchasing sting has been ordered to pay more than £27,000.

AF Pound Plus Ltd, which operates Nelson Pound Plus on Manchester Road, has been convicted of selling a knife to a person under 18, which is an offence under the Criminal Justice Act 1988.

On Saturday 15 November 2025, Lancashire County Council's Trading Standards officers conducted a routine test purchase when an assistant sold a five‑inch filleting knife to a 16‑year‑old test purchaser for £1.90.

Before completing the sale, the assistant asked the teenager their age. When they truthfully replied, 16 years old, he said, “You have to be 18 to buy this as it is dangerous" – but proceeded with the sale anyway.

During a later interview, Areeba Nasin, the sole director of AF Pound Plus Ltd., provided a prepared statement admitting that the business had previously sold knives to minors on two occasions. She stated that additional measures had since been introduced and that she was considering withdrawing knives from sale entirely. However, when officers requested details of staff training and store procedures, she gave no‑comment responses.

Sentencing the company on 17 June 2026, Preston Magistrates Court highlighted that the sale occurred despite the purchaser being honest about her age. The court also treated the two earlier knife sales as aggravating factors.

They were fined £25,000, with a further £2,300 in costs and surcharges.

County Councillor Joshua Roberts, cabinet member for Rural Affairs, Environment and Communities, said: “This case shows a clear and unacceptable failure to follow the law, which is designed to keep young people safe. The assistant knew the customer was underage and still chose to sell a knife.

"Our Trading Standards team will always take firm action where businesses put the public at risk. We urge all retailers to take their responsibilities seriously and ensure robust age‑verification procedures are in place.”