Shopkeeper Fined For Selling
Alcohol To Boy, 15 |
15 Feb 2006 |
A South Tyneside shopkeeper has been fined and had
her licence to sell alcohol suspended for selling cider
to a 15-year-old boy.
Dorothy Linney, of The Wine Shop, Prince Edward Road,
South Shields, was convicted of the charge at the town's
magistrates court on 2nd February. The case was adjourned
for sentence until last Friday, 10th February, when
Mrs Linney was fined £300, ordered to pay £100
costs and had her personal liquor licence suspended
for eight weeks.
Prosecuting on behalf of South Tyneside Council, Martin
Thompson told the court that the offence took place
in March last year when Mrs Linney sold two bottles
of cider to the 15-year-old, claiming that she thought
he looked of age.
The magistrates said that Mrs Linney had been advised
and warned previously, and noted that she had a previous
conviction for selling alcohol to a child, in August
2004, plus a police caution for a similar offence in
August 2001.
They therefore thought that she should have been more
careful and at least asked for ID. The magistrates were
of the opinion that the child did not appear to them
to look over 18.
Welcoming the latest sentence handed down by the court,
Councillor Michael Clare, Lead Member for Neighbourhood
Services, said: "People who sell booze to underage
children in the Borough should heed the warning that
we will not tolerate it.
"We have entered into partnership with the police
to stamp out these illegal sales which harm our young
people and lead to anti-social behaviour, something
which we know is of great concern to South Tyneside
residents.
"Anyone selling alcohol to under-18s faces the
shame of prosecution, as well as the threat of losing
their liquor licence. Do yourself a favour and don't
do it."
Inspector Peter Sutton, Community Inspector for East
Shields, Boldon, Cleadon and Whitburn, added: "We
take a very dim view of this kind of behaviour and are
pleased to see that the court has sent down the message
that the selling of alcohol to children will not be
tolerated."
Anyone with information about alcohol being sold illegally
to children should contact the confidential hotline
number 0800 093 5878.
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