A Preston shopkeeper who was caught selling a disposable vape to a schoolgirl has been hit with another £23,000 legal bill after a series of stings uncovered large hauls of dodgy vapes - and warned he has three months to pay or end up in jail.
Patel, who is the company's sole director, was also ordered at Preston Crown Court to carry out 80 days of unpaid work in the community. The court heard how, in February 2023, officers seized 1,290 oversized vapes at the store where Arif Patel described himself as the manager, although he had recently taken over as sole director of the company.
In addition to the criminal offences, Recorder Siddiqi made an order under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 requiring payment of an amount equivalent to the value of the 2241 seized vapes, £22,751.59. Patel was warned that, unless he pays the order off within three months, he will go to prison for 18 months.
The prosecution comes hot on the heels of Patel's conviction in April for selling a vape to 15-year-old test purchaser in school uniform at the shop.