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Shops stripped of alcohol licences after raids

Chris YoungLDRS
News imageLDRS A close-up image shows six throwing knives arranged side by side on a light wooden surface. On the left, three silver-coloured knives are aligned with pointed tips facing upward, each featuring a target-style circular design with curved lines and the text “SCREAMING ARROW” printed along the blade. On the right, three black knives of a similar shape are positioned in the same orientation, each displaying a circular logo near the blade and the brand name “KA-BAR” printed vertically on the handle. All six knives have symmetrical, tapered blades and cut-out holes near the base of the handles, suggesting they are designed for balance and throwing.LDRS
Prohibited knives found at Lynxes on Sunbridge Road in Bradford

The boss of two city centre off-licences where illegal goods were discovered has told a council licensing panel he was in Iran "with no internet" when the items were found.

The Lynxes stores and Sunbridge Road and Kirkgate in Bradford were raided by Trading Standards officers on 8 April. Both branches were found selling counterfeit cigarettes – with illegal throwing knives also found in the Sunbridge Road branch.

Licence holder Mohammed Jamal said he had been in Iran for a day when American and Israeli strikes began. "There was no internet to contact anyone. I did not know what was going on," he added.

The panel decided revoke the stores' alcohol licences.

When West Yorkshire Police and Trading Standards searched the Sunbridge Road branch they found illegal tobacco products, including 445 packets of 20 cigarettes, 29 50g pouches of hand-rolling tobacco and 13 packs of shisha tobacco.

They also found that two boxes of "prohibited" throwing knives.

A report by Trading Standards to the panel said: "The throwing knives were seized, along with a large kitchen knife and a smaller potato-peeler-style knife."

At the Kirkgate branch officers found 318 packets of 20 cigarettes and 11 50g pouches of hand-rolling tobacco - the tobacco was found to be counterfeit.

News imageLDRS A close-up image shows a black rifle partially concealed inside a white reusable shopping bag. The bag has a printed black-and-white illustration of buildings and a handle looped over the firearm. The visible portion of the weapon includes a grip, trigger area, and part of the barrel extending across the top of the image. Surrounding the bag are stacks of boxed items arranged horizontally and vertically, including cartons with visible labels such as “GUN” and “OSC...,” suggesting packaged goods or supplies. The items appear tightly packed in a confined storage space, with muted lighting and a slightly grainy image quality.LDRS
The illegal tobacco was also found stashed in the two shops

PC Tony Brown said the evidence showed the issues with the shops were "systemic" and "fundamental to how the businesses are run".

Sam Roxborough, representing Jamal, said: "He doesn't dispute what has been said today – he just has no knowledge of it."

Jamal also said a staff member claimed he was selling the illegal goods to help his boss pay back a bank loan he had taken out to cover his businesses.

"He didn't know it could be serious for me and my shop," he added.

Roxborough said that there had been no reports of illegal goods being sold while Jamal was in the country and running the shops, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

"The businesses are off licences – they will be destroyed without the ability to sell alcohol."

However councillor Paul Golding said both licences were being revoked and added: "We don't believe the licence holder will be able to uphold one or more of the licensing objectives."

News imageLDRS A street-level view of a row of small shops in an older stone building. In the centre is a shop with a sign reading “LYNXES OFF LICENCE” in gold lettering, with a window display filled with brightly coloured products such as greeting cards and small items. The shopfront is decorated with artificial flowers and greenery above the sign. To the left is a barbershop with signage reading “Irbil Barbers” and a circular barber logo on the window. To the right, neighbouring businesses display signs reading “SUNBRIDGE WELLS” and “RAPID REPAIRS.” A black post stands on the pavement in front of the shops, and metal barriers line the street edge. Two pedestrians walk past on the pavement, and the overall scene appears to be a typical urban high street. Provide your feedback on BizChatLDRS
The Sunbridge Road branch is one of two stores that has had its alcohol licence revoked

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