Grimsby shopkeeper accused of selling stolen Poundland goods

Humberside Police have accused a Grimsby shop owner of trying to “frustrate the licensing process” after he was found selling stolen Poundland goods, including tuna.

North East Lincolnshire Council’s licensing authority on Thursday examined a request by Jeyathevi Rameshkumar to transfer the premises license for Cartergate News and Wine from her husband Thambiah.

The force, however, believe the application is an attempt to circumvent their own review application following investigations into criminal activity at the shop.

A statement from PC Garry Stuart Chapman, who is based in the licensing team, said that in December 2020, officers “became aware that the shop was potentially purchasing stolen food items from a known male to sell in the shop”.

Evidence said the man, who is currently on bail charged with a number of offences, would enter Cartergate with a “full shopping bag” but would leave “moments later with the same bag looking less full or empty”.

Items found included multipacks of tuna and jars of coffee, some of which were found on the shop’s shelves.

When confronted, Rameshkumar admitted buying the products and putting them on the store’s shelves, the force allege. He also admitted that he knew the seller was a “thief”.

Officers say Rameshkuma attended the police station on January 7 to and asked the officer if police would be reviewing the licence and was told papers were being prepared.

However, on the day the papers were submitted North East Lincolnshire Council informed Humberside Police it would be rejected, as two applications had been received the day before to transfer the license and change the premises supervisor to Mrs Rameshkumar.

“It is believed the two applications have been made as a result of knowing Humberside Police would apply for a review and this would delay or potentially prevent this from happening,” said the report.

“By transferring the premise licence between husband and wife there will be no significant change in how this business operates now and has operated for a number of years.

“It is extremely likely the premises will continue to engage in behaviour likely to undermine the licensing objectives.”

In August 2019, Thambiah was warned he could lose his livelihood if he appeared before licensing again.

It followed an assault at the shop in which a customer was hit with a hammer by a staff member.

Subsequent visits discovered an ornamental sword and a plastic cricket bat behind the counter.

Previous reviews were made after reports revealed alcohol had been bought from the shop by underage or drunk street drinkers.

In 2009, licensing members tried to revoke the licence after feeling children’s lives had been put at risk, however, this was overturned at appeal.

Other issues include a knife incident and anti-social behaviour caused by drunk youths.