Under-age alcohol sale sparks fresh Council warning to traders

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 4th Aug 2006

A Richmond delicatessen has been hit with a £500 penalty after being caught selling alcohol to a 14-year-old. The teenage boy was making a test purchase as part of a mystery shopper exercise run by Richmond Council Trading Standards in an effort to unmask traders prepared to break the law.

He was sold a bottle of Kronenbourg beer at the shop in The Quadrant, Richmond, last December. Source Food Stores Ltd received a £250 fine with £250 costs at Richmond Magistrates' Court yesterday (August 3). Jeremy Samways - the Designated Premises Supervisor - was given a 12 month conditional discharge.

The court heard how the 14-year-old was sold the beer by an employee of the store who did not ask for any ID or the youngster's age. It is the fourth successful prosecution of shopkeepers in the borough for under-age sales in the past year and has sparked a tough new warning to retailers by Richmond Council.

Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Martin Elengorn, said:

"Under-age sales of alcohol fuel anti-social behaviour, are irresponsible and illegal.

"The vast majority of traders keep to the law, but those who don't should be warned: you will be caught and named and shamed.

"Shopowners should be aware that a conviction could mean a financial penalty and may lead to a formal review of the licence. They should be taking steps to ensure they don't find themselves in this position."

Anyone who suspects that a shop may be selling age-restricted goods to minors should call trading standards on 020 8487 5487. All calls will be treated in strict confidence.