Store fined nearly £25,000 for selling alcohol to under 18s
Friday, 18th July 2014.
An ongoing campaign between Suffolk Trading Standards and Suffolk Police has led to the successful prosecution of Metro Express (Haverhill) Ltd for persistently selling alcohol to under 18s.
This comes as two other businesses were fined nearly £25,000 for the same offence earlier this month.
On Wednesday Ipswich Magistrates found Metro Express (Haverhill) Ltd guilty of persistently selling alcohol from Your Store in Apple Acre Road in Haverhill, in spite of them entering a not guilty plea.
Following the trial the company was fined £9,000 plus £120 victim charges and costs were awarded for £7,721.18. They are to pay a total of £16,841.18.
Previously cautioned and spot fined in 2013, another incident took place at the premises in May this year, where company director, Mr Jeyaruba, sold four cans of lager to a 16-year-old without asking to see any proof of age.
Mr Jeyaruban was also found guilty of selling alcohol to someone under the age of 18. He was fined £2,000, ordered to pay costs of £1,000 and a victim surcharge of £120.
Councillor Colin Spence, Suffolk County Council cabinet member for public protection said: “This case demonstrates that through on-the-spot fines, licence reviews and prosecution any premises which continues to sell alcohol to under 18s will face appropriate and robust action.
“There are simple steps a business can follow to prevent prosecution such as ensuring all staff are trained in the sale of age restricted products.
"It is also important to keep a written record of the training you have provided, ensuring the records are signed and dated. Perhaps also consider implementing a challenge 21 or 25 policy to make it easier for staff to identify under-age purchases.”
As the school holidays approach Trading Standards and Suffolk Police are urging licensees to be particularly vigilant of any under-age person attempting to buy alcohol.
This comes as two other businesses were fined nearly £25,000 for the same offence earlier this month.
On Wednesday Ipswich Magistrates found Metro Express (Haverhill) Ltd guilty of persistently selling alcohol from Your Store in Apple Acre Road in Haverhill, in spite of them entering a not guilty plea.
Following the trial the company was fined £9,000 plus £120 victim charges and costs were awarded for £7,721.18. They are to pay a total of £16,841.18.
Previously cautioned and spot fined in 2013, another incident took place at the premises in May this year, where company director, Mr Jeyaruba, sold four cans of lager to a 16-year-old without asking to see any proof of age.
Mr Jeyaruban was also found guilty of selling alcohol to someone under the age of 18. He was fined £2,000, ordered to pay costs of £1,000 and a victim surcharge of £120.
Councillor Colin Spence, Suffolk County Council cabinet member for public protection said: “This case demonstrates that through on-the-spot fines, licence reviews and prosecution any premises which continues to sell alcohol to under 18s will face appropriate and robust action.
“There are simple steps a business can follow to prevent prosecution such as ensuring all staff are trained in the sale of age restricted products.
"It is also important to keep a written record of the training you have provided, ensuring the records are signed and dated. Perhaps also consider implementing a challenge 21 or 25 policy to make it easier for staff to identify under-age purchases.”
As the school holidays approach Trading Standards and Suffolk Police are urging licensees to be particularly vigilant of any under-age person attempting to buy alcohol.
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