Business denies selling dangerous goods

A PROMINENT Angus high street business has denied allegations of offering dangerous electrical goods and toys containing banned chemicals.

Angus Housewares Ltd and its company director Kaleem Ahmed have denied allegations they were in contravention of consumer goods laws between May and June last year.

The company, which trades as the Nickel And Dime store in Forfar, has been accused by the Crown of failing to give supplier information to trading standards officers.

As such, it is alleged it took actions to oppose officers being able to carry out enforcement action against the company, including having to take some items on display from shelves.

The company is also accused of offering electrical items with non-compliant and dangerous plugs, as well as an accusation it breached safe storage regulations for other items.

The list of charges relate to alleged breaches of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011, the 1987 Consumer Protection Act and the General Product Safety Regulations 2005.

The incidents are alleged to have taken place between May 7 and June 20 last year and include allegations that products were offered without a CE mark, manufacturer details or instructions.

Angus Housewares is further alleged to have offered toys which had prohibited levels of boron, contained banned phthalates or posed a strangulation hazard.

The charges allege Ahmed acted with neglect by offering products which he knew were, or should have presumed to be, dangerous. Ahmed was not in court when the case called before Sheriff Gregor Murray at Forfar.

Defence solicitor Angela McLardy said the company and Ahmed were adhering to not guilty pleas.

A trial date had been set, but it will be delayed to allow a debate to take place around documents relating to the matter.

The case will call again on November 17.