A CASHIER has been convicted of selling knives to a teenager.

Joseph Ndana, 42, of Enfield, was fined £3,000 after being caught selling a set of steak knives to a 14-year-old boy while working at Joe's Mini Mart in High Road, Leyton, during a council sting in August last year.

He failed to attend a hearing at Waltham Forest Magistrates' Court on Thursday, April 30, but it proceeded in his absence.

Ndana was convicted of selling a knife to a person aged under 18.

Cllr Afzal Akram, community safety cabinet member, said: "This prosecution sends a very clear message that we do not tolerate knife crime in this borough and we do not expect traders to sell knives to children."

Ndana was also ordered to pay £393 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.