Vape shop manager, 53, who sexually assaulted underage girls who came in to illegally get e-cigarettes is jailed

A vape shop manager has been jailed for eight years after he sexually exploited teenage girls who came to his shop to buy illegal e-cigarettes.

Dilshaw Omar Kawani, 53, was found guilty of seven offences of sexual assault and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity at Bournemouth Crown Court last week.

Kawani, who ran Parkstone Mini Market on Ashley Road, Poole, would often give free vapes to the young girls in order to facilitate his assault.

One teenage girl said Kawani had sexually touched her under her clothes after giving her a free vape in January 2025.

Another teenager said she had been sexually assaulted on multiple occasions by the Poole local, who the girls had referred to as 'Boss man', while giving her free vapes.

Some of the vapes Kawani distributed contained the Class B drug tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis.

Dorset Police arrested Kawani after they were made aware of the abuse and Parkstone Mini Market was subsequently closed after a joint operation with Trading Standards.

The authorities confirmed that illegal vapes were seized from the property. The shop has since reopened under new management.

Officers commended the 'bravery' of the victims for coming forward and assisting throughout the investigation and court process. 

Kawani was also handed a 12-year sexual harm prevention order at his sentence hearing on October 15.

Detective Inspector Ross McNamee, of the Safeguarding Hub, said: 'This sentence marks the conclusion of a determined investigation into offences that caused significant harm to children in our community.

'While no sentence can undo that harm, this outcome ensures the offender has been held accountable for his actions and will now face the consequences of his criminality.

'Protecting children remains a priority for Dorset Police. We are unwavering in our commitment to safeguarding young people and will relentlessly pursue those who seek to exploit or abuse them.

'Working closely with our partners, we will continue to identify offenders, build strong cases and bring them before the courts.

'I would also like to commend the victims for the courage they have shown throughout this investigation and the court process. Their bravery has been instrumental in ensuring this offender has been brought to justice and helping to protect other children from harm.'