Former Shop Owner Given Suspended Sentence for Unlicensed Alcohol Sales

A former shop owner has received a suspended prison sentence for continuing to sell alcohol after his licence had been revoked. Mohammed Sokhanvar Mahani’s licence was initially revoked in December 2019, and he was incarcerated for 24 weeks, following repeated sales of alcohol, cigarettes, and tobacco, as stated by the City of Wolverhampton Council. Despite this, he was discovered selling alcohol once more at his Wolverhampton premises in June and September of the previous year. The 52-year-old individual pleaded guilty to three charges and received two eight-week prison sentences, to be served concurrently, which were suspended for a period of 12 months, at Dudley Magistrates’ Court. Mahani had previously owned a retail establishment named Super Mahan, located on Thornley Street. The council confirmed that the ownership of this store has since transferred. In 2023, during seizures conducted by licensing officials, alcohol was discovered on shop shelving, behind the counter, within a basement, in a storeroom, and inside a small cupboard situated under the stairs behind the counter. Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, the cabinet member for resident services, stated: “Despite our repeated warnings, revocation of his licence and time in prison, Mahani continued to trade.” He further added: “We carried out this prosecution to send a message to others that if we have revoked your licence, we will do all we can to stop you continuing to sell.” Additionally, on 4 December, magistrates mandated that Mahini complete 150 hours of unpaid work and pay a surcharge of £154 along with costs amounting to £5,678.