Off-licences fined for selling to girl, 15
8:53am Thursday 29th July 2010 in News
THREE off-licences have each been fined £80 for selling wine to a 15-year-old girl in a sting operation.
Licensing police say if the shops are caught selling alcohol to children again, they could lose their licenses.
The sting took place in Bolton on Friday evening when police sent a 15-yearold girl to buy alcohol from three off-licences.
The girl entered the Best One store in Bury Road, Breightmet, and was sold a bottle of wine — and was encouraged to buy a further two bottles as part of a store promotion.
She then went to the Best One store in Tonge Moor Road, Tonge Moor, — which is not linked to the Breightmet shop — and then to the K and K Mini-market in Crompton Way, Astley Bridge.
A large group of teenagers was seen coming out of the store with bags of alcohol before police sent the girl in.
The licence holder of each store was issued with an £80 fixed-penalty notice.
PC Natalie Dolan, Bolton’s licensing officer, said: “Selling alcohol to underage teenagers and children is a very serious offence which can lead to further issues like anti-social behaviour and even ill-health.
“It will not be tolerated and all licensees need to be aware that we will bring the full force of the law down on those that break the rules.”
A spokesman for Best One in Tonge Moor said the shop was addressing the situation and reviewing whether to re-train the member of staff responsible.
He said they may consider sacking him.
A spokesman for Best One in Breightmet said: “It was a very busy night but that’s no excuse.
“We have tightened up our policies and everyone is going to be ID’d.”
The Bolton News approached the K and K offlicence but they did not respond by the time we went to press.
