A Watford business owner has been fined after admitting selling an “unsafe” tyre.

During an appearance at St Albans Magistrates’ Court on March 1, Hassan Itani admitted supplying a part-worn tyre from his business Fit & Go Tyres, at 2 St James Road.

Although the 36-year-old said it was an “honest mistake” and the court recognised he was of good character, he was ordered to pay a total of £2,200 in fines, costs, and surcharges.

Hertfordshire Trading Standards and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency bought a tyre from the shop on June 30, 2022, as part of a test purchasing exercise.

Hertfordshire County Council said it was “unsafe and not marked as being part-worn”.

The council added that Mr Itani, of St Pauls Close, Hounslow, accepted his system for segregating his part-worn tyres was flawed and could have been overcome by marking tested tyres.

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The court recognised he was fully cooperative, remorseful, and of good character — having never been in a similar situation before.

However, it was also found to be a serious matter and could have caused a fatality if the tyre blew out.

Councillor Morris Bright, who is responsible for community safety, said: “In an emergency, safe and roadworthy tyres could be the difference between driving away and a serious accident.

“Our trading standards team will continue to use all of the powers available to them to ensure that consumers receive the goods they have paid for and most importantly, products that are safe.”

Speaking to the Watford Observer, Mr Itani said: “Obviously it was an honest mistake.

“We’ve been in Watford for over 15 years and it shouldn’t have happened but it was human error."

He explained that he did not perform the job in question and the person who sold the tyre no longer works at Fit & Go, but admitted that “as a sole trader I’m responsible”.

The council added that anyone wishing to report concerns about unsafe items being sold to Trading Standards can call the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133.