Crouch End business owner fined £2,000 over laughing gas sale

Kamal Altun also admitted to offering to supply non-compliant prescription drugs, tobacco and vapes

Maxxi Food & Wine in Crouch End (credit Google)

A Crouch End businessman has been handed a suspended six-month prison sentence and ordered to pay £2,000 in costs after ‘selling’ nitrous oxide as part of a test-purchasing operation.

A former director of Altun Asya Limited, the company that manages Maxxi Food and Wine at 42 Topsfield Parade in Crouch End, Kamal Altun pleaded guilty to this offence and four others at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court.

The sitting judge referred the case to Wood Green Crown Court, where Altun was handed his sentence on Friday, 23rd May.

He was also given a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR) – a probation order requiring an offender to participate in rehabilitation activities for a maximum of 15 days – and 80 hours of unpaid work.

The case was brought against Altun by Haringey Council’s trading standards team.

Ajda Ovat, the council’s cabinet member for communities, said: “This case serves as a stark reminder to any non-compliant Haringey business or retailer flouting the rules and regulations that we will ensure they face the consequences and are brought to justice.

“I also hope it helps reassure our residents that our trading standards team is working hard to prevent counterfeit and unsafe products from entering the market in our borough.”

As well as intentionally supplying a substance to another person for its psychoactive effects, which is contrary to the Psychoactive Substance Act 2016, Altun also admitted to offering to supply non-compliant prescription drugs, tobacco and vapes.

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