Two shop owners have been prosecuted by Bedford Borough Council’s Trading Standards team for illegally selling vapes to children in Bedford town centre.
Salar Ahmed, 49, owner and company director of Kaka Super Shop Limited in Dane Street, Bedford, appeared before Luton Magistrates’ Court on Friday 8 May.
Ahmed, of Waterside Crescent, Oldbury, pleaded guilty in person to the offence of the illegal sale of a vape to a 14-year-old girl. This took place during a test purchase operation in October 2025, in which he had personally made the sale of the vape without asking the child for any proof of age.
He also pleaded guilty to the same charge against his company. The Court imposed total penalties of £7,481.50, including fines, victim surcharge and costs.
This is the second time this year that the Council’s Trading Standards team has successfully prosecuted Ahmed again for selling vapes to children. In January, his company was given penalties totalling £8,887.50 after selling a vape to a 14-year-old during a test purchase operation in April 2025.
The total financial penalty for both offences now stands at £16,369.
The Council has been made aware that Ahmed left Bedford last year and is no longer trading in the Borough. Kaka Super Shop Limited was closed after landlords required Ahmed to surrender the lease based on the prosecution action taken by the Council.
In a separate case, Kamaljeet Randhawa, owner of Broadway Vape in The Broadway, also appeared at Luton Magistrates’ Court on 8 May.
Randhawa, 57, of Curlew Crescent, Bedford, pleaded guilty to selling a vape to a 14-year-old in October 2025, despite having been warned and given guidance by Trading Standards following a test purchase, in which a vape had also been sold to a 14-year-old girl in July 2025.
He admitted the offence to the Court and apologised for his actions. He was given penalties totalling £3,140.50.
Tom Wootton, Mayor of Bedford Borough said; “The sale of vapes and other age-restricted products to children is illegal and poses significant health risks to our young people. Despite previous interventions and clear guidance, both business owners repeatedly failed in their legal responsibilities.
“These latest prosecutions send out a strong message that we will not tolerate such behaviour in Bedford Borough. Our Trading Standards team will continue to take robust action to protect young residents, support legitimate businesses and ensure businesses comply with the law.”
Bedford Borough Council urges all retailers to prioritise staff training and implement robust procedures to prevent the sale of age-restricted products to minors.
Residents who have concerns about businesses selling age-restricted products to minors can report them to the Council's Trading Standards team by emailing ehadmin@bedford.gov.uk
Learn more about underage sales in Bedford Borough at www.bedford.gov.uk/business/trading-standards/underage-sales
Find further advice for consumers and businesses in Bedford Borough at www.bedford.gov.uk/business/trading-standards