Vape store manager piled teenage girls with free e-cigarettes before sexually abusing them

A vape shop manager who provided teenage girls with free e-cigarettes before sexually abusing them has been jailed for eight years.

Dilshaw Kawani, 53, was sentenced following his conviction at Bournemouth Crown Court for seven offences, including sexual assault and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity against two victims. The court heard he instructed the girls to call him "Boss man".

Dorset Police began an investigation into the manager of the Parkstone Mini Market in Ashley Road, Poole, in January 2025 after a teenage girl reported he touched her sexually beneath her clothing.

In addition to the prison term, Kawani was handed a 12-year sexual harm prevention order.

A force spokesman said: “It was reported that the girls referred to him as ‘Boss man’ and he would sell or give them illegal vapes in order 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).

“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.”

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.”