Caught in the act

They have released pictures of the smartly-dressed man captured by a CCTV camera buying cans of beer in the Bargain Booze store in Darwen Road, Bromley Cross, on Friday, September 22.

More CCTV pictures recovered from a council camera trained on the off-licence show the man handing a carrier bag full of cans to a youth in a group of youngsters outside.

He then calmly walks off.

The footage was captured just hours before 44-year-old John Graham was seriously injured in an attack by youths in Bromley Cross.

Police say there is no link between the youths who were gathered outside Bargain Booze and the attack, but warned adults that buying alcohol for youngsters was fuelling violence and nuisance in Bolton's suburbs.

PC Dave Tann said: "People like this man caught on camera need to realise that when they buy alcohol for children, they are directly responsible for nuisance and sometimes worse.

"Alcohol is a major factor behind the majority of juvenile nuisance in Bolton.

"We're working with off-licences to make sure that they are not selling alcohol to children, but people who act irresponsibly like this man are driving the problem."

The camera, operated by Bolton Council, was installed in Bromley Cross after complaints from residents that adults were buying booze for children who gathered in the village on Friday and Saturday nights.

The owner of the Bargain Booze is working with police and supplying footage from cameras in the shop which show offenders who buy booze for children.

Anybody caught buying alcohol for under-18s faces an on-the-spot fine of £80 or a fine of up to £5,000 and six months in prison if they are taken to court.

PC Tann warned: "We are using these cameras and methods across Bolton.

"If you are caught buying alcohol for children, you will be prosecuted."

Five youths, aged between 13 and 17, have appeared in court charged with causing grievous bodily harm to Mr Graham and violent disorder and were bailed until a November 15.