A CARLISLE shop liquor licence holder has been fined after booze was sold to a schoolboy twice in less than three months.
Police seeking to stamp out crime and anti-social behaviour organised test purchases at the One Stop store, Fusehill Street, last year.
On April 20, a 15-year-old boy entered with a girl of the same age and was sold four cans of cider. No identification was requested by the sales assistant despite the shop promoting a “Challenge 25” policy which encourages people of that age and under to carry proof of age.
At a subsequent meeting, premises licence holder and designated supervisor David Forrester was warned any further lapses could result in permit review or revocation.
But North and West Cumbria Magistrates’ Court heard how, on July 6, the same boy – by then 16 – and the girl were sent back to the shop, where he was sold lager. The boy told an employee he had no ID when it was requested but Forrester, who was also present, “over-rode the sensible female staff member” and sanctioned the sale. Forrester later spoke of being “sorry” for a “misjudgement”.
He was summonsed to attend court but, when he failed to appear today (WED), a charge of selling alcohol to an under-18 person was proved in his absence by magistrates after evidence was presented.
Forrester, of Longlands Road, Stanwix, Carlisle, was fined £770, and ordered to pay a £77 victim surcharge and £2,335.32 costs. Magistrates heard no request had been made for any liquor licence suspension.
PC Mike Watson, Carlisle Local Focus Team, said: “We work in partnership with licence holders and Trading Standards to prevent the sale of alcohol to those underage. We do this to prevent any related antisocial behaviour and also to protect the health of young people.
“Licence holders are well aware of the consequences of selling alcohol to children and we work with them to educate their staff on the importance of requesting identification.
“I hope that this cases sends a clear message to all licence holders and that they do any work necessary to remind their staff of the importance to challenge.”
Forrester, of Longlands Road, Stanwix, Carlisle, was fined £770, and ordered to pay a £77 victim surcharge and £2,335.32 costs.
