A shop owner from Brent has been fined over £2000 after it was discovered that a large number of toys he had been selling were unsafe and even dangerous to children.

48 year-old Ka Pak Lam, who owns a shop called Toko Home on Edgware Road, was visited by Trading Standards Officers in June 2007 who informed him that his toys must conform to European Safety Standards and should all bear the CE mark of a toy that has done so.

However, when the officers returned in December 2007 they found that their instructions had not been followed and subsequently seized a large number of toys which did not have the CE mark. These included a range of bath time toys aimed at young children, and toys aimed at older children with pocket money. When they were examined by safety experts it was discovered that all of the toys had small parts which presented a choking hazard or sharp edges and components which could cause an injury.

Mr Lam, who accepted the charges made against him and said he had failed to fulfil his resposibilities as a director, was fined £800 by Brent Magistrates and forced to pay a further £1,343 in prosecution costs to the London Boroughs of Brent & Harrow Trading Standards Service.

Speaking on behalf of Brent & Harrow Trading Standards Service, Director Bill Bilon said: “I am delighted that the courts have sent such a strong message and have recognised the importance of protecting vulnerable consumers from harm. The protection of children from unsafe goods is a high priority for the Service and we will continue to monitor local traders on a regular basis to ensure that they are complying with the law”.