A COLCHESTER vape shop which was convicted of selling nicotine products to underage children has been described as “a bit dodge” by a judge at an appeal hearing.

Hot ‘N’ High, which trades as Sheppards in Colchester High Street, was stung by an undercover Trading Standards investigation earlier this year it sold a vape to a volunteer who was just 13 years old.

The business denied selling nicotine inhaling products to someone under the age of 18 but was found guilty of the offence by magistrates.

At a sentencing hearing in July, Hot ‘N’ High was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay £12,000 in costs but went on to submit an appeal against the conviction.

The business then backtracked and sought to formally withdraw that appeal at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday, though no representatives from the business attended.

Overseeing the hearing, Judge Elizabeth Isaacs KC remarked the business had “a dreadful name”.

She said: “Nobody is here for the withdrawal of the appeal – formally the court wants us to agree to the withdrawal.”

When the judge was handed details about the business, she said: “Hot ‘N’ High… dreadful name – best not investigate.

“It sounds a bit dodge.”

After reading the papers further, she said: “Ah, something to do with tobacco vapes – it’s not as bad as it sounds.”

The conviction will remain in place.