A Southampton car wash owner is the first employer in Hampshire to be prosecuted for National Minimum Wage offences.

Kreshnik Dida, 29, proprietor of Southampton Car Wash Ltd, trading as Dida Hand Car Wash, is believed to have underpaid workers by £21,000 over an 11-month period, an investigation by HM Revenue and Customs found.

HMRC assistant director, Fraud Investigation Service, Colin Spinks said: “Failing to pay the National Minimum Wage is not only unfair but also illegal, and Dida now has a criminal record. It doesn’t matter how big or small an employer is, it is their responsibility to pay the correct wage to their staff.” 

Anyone who is concerned they are not receiving the National Minimum Wage can contact ACAS in confidence on 0300 123 1100.

Dida must now pay a £14,000 fine within 28 days, or face a possible 12-month jail term and ordered to pay a total of £4,400 in compensation to workers plus £2,000 in court costs.

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