Vape store manager jailed for abusing teen girls

The manager of a vape shop who sexually abused teenage girls after giving them free e-cigarettes has been jailed.

Dilshaw Kawani, 53, was sentenced to eight years after he was found guilty at Bournemouth Crown Court of seven offences of sexual assault and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity against two victims.

Dorset Police investigated Kawani, who managed Parkstone Mini Market in Ashley Road, Poole, in January 2025 after a teenage girl reported that he had sexually touched her under her clothing after giving her free vapes.

The force said the girls referred to him as "boss man" and that he would give them illegal vapes to "facilitate his offending".

"Another teenage victim subsequently reported that she had been sexually assaulted on multiple occasions by the defendant, who had given her free vapes including ones containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)," a police spokesperson said.

"Officers took immediate action to arrest Kawani and the vape store was subsequently closed following a joint operation with Trading Standards, with a number of illegal vapes recovered."

The store has since reopened under new management, the force said.

Det Insp Ross McNamee, from the force's safeguarding hub, said the offences had 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," he said.

"Protecting children remains a priority for Dorset Police."

McNamee commended the victims for the courage they had shown during the investigation and court process.

"Their bravery has been instrumental in ensuring this offender has been brought to justice and helping to protect other children from harm," he said.

As well as the prison term, Kawani was made subject to a 12-year sexual harm prevention order.