Two brothers were 'aggressive' toward trading standards officers investigating the illegal sale of vapes at their shop. Zahim and Saif Sharif have now been ordered to pay more than £11,000 by a court following their illicit activities and 'obstructive' behaviour. The siblings both work at Russells Hall Road Convenience Store, where a child volunteering for trading standards was sold a watermelon-flavoured disposable vape in October 2022. When the accompanying trading standards officer entered the store to carry out an investigation, he was prevented from going behind the counter or into the storeroom by 21-year-old Zahim. The officer was pushed, which resulted in the investigation being abandoned, Dudley Magistrates' Court was told. However enquiries continued and when a second officer made a follow-up visit, he witnessed Saif selling illegal disposable vapes to a customer. READ MORE: Ricky Gervais' partner Jane shares symptoms of 'awful condition' after surprise diagnosis During the hearing on Friday, March 22, the court was told the vapes were seized by the trading standards officer, who gave Saif a receipt - but this was scrunched up into a ball and thrown back at the officer. The court heard the 20-year-old was also verbally aggressive, accusing the officer of 'stealing the vapes' from him. Trading standards had already seized more than 100 illegal vapes from the brothers in November 2021 and had also been sent advisory letters on their trading practices. Zahim, of Denewood Road, Birmingham, admitted selling a disposable vape to a child and was found guilty after trial of obstructing a trading standards officer in the course of their duty. He was ordered to pay a total of £6,121 in fines and court costs. Saif, also of Denewood Road, denied selling illegal disposable vapes and obstruction a trading standards officer in the course of their duty. He was found guilty on both counts after trial and ordered to pay a total of £5,189 in fines and court costs. Speaking after the sentencing, Dr Mayada Abu Affan, director of public health and responsible for trading standards at Dudley Council, said: “We welcome the sizeable financial penalties in this case, and hope it will act as a deterrent to others. We take the sale of nicotine to children and the sale of illegal disposable vapes seriously. “We also do not tolerate any aggression shown to officers and investigate such matters thoroughly. In this case, our officers acted professionally and were courteous throughout despite being obstructed from carrying out their duties. Our officers are there to ensure public safety and that businesses are trading on a level playing field.”