A Dagenham shop keeper has been hit in the wallet for nearly £900 for trading illegally without a licence. 



Mr Rotimi Oyewole, trading as Mafowurosere Foods of 273 Heathway, Dagenham has been ordered to pay costs totalling £883 after being caught out trading without a valid street trading licence.



On 3 July last year, the business was observed selling goods on the public highway without a valid street trading licence. Anyone caught doing so and/or anyone breaching the condition of a licence can be fined upon conviction of up to £1,000 under the London Local Authorities Act 1990.



Council enforcement officers advised the business that it appeared to be selling items without a street trading licence and that this was an offence contrary to s.38 London Local Authorities Act. They requested that the owner, Mr Rotimi Oyewole urgently contact the council regarding this matter however he failed to make contact.



A Fixed Penalty Notice was issued to Mr Oyewole for the offence of Unlicensed Street Trading giving him 28 days to pay the sum of £150 reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days again Mr Oyewole failed to pay this within the time frame.



On Friday 14 February 2020 at Barking Magistrates Court, the business was ordered to pay a fine of £300 with 28 days to pay, £551 costs to Barking and Dagenham Council and a £32 Victims Surcharge.



He had previously been prosecuted on 22 January 2019 and had to pay a £898 fine.



Councillor Margaret Mullane, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety said: “We welcome businesses to set up and operate in our borough, but they must play by the rules. If you trade without the relevant licences, you are breaking the law and you may be fined and even prosecuted if necessary.



“Unfortunately for this particular business, this is the second time they have fallen foul of the rules and we are making it clear that they will not be allowed to continue to inconvenience members of the public and other responsible businesses.”