A SWINDON off-licence will be banned from selling booze after being caught out by Trading Standards.

VK Stores in Cricklade Road, Gorse Hill, sold alcohol to a 15-year-old test purchaser on August 29 last year during a series of stings in the town. Out of the 14 stores tested in the borough, 12 declined to sell alcohol to underage youngsters.

Handimans Stores in Ferndale Road was the other shop to sell alcohol to a 15-year-old girl on the same day.

Now the owner of VK Stores, Mohamed Hussain, has vowed to retrain staff after having his licence to sell alcohol suspended for six weeks.

“I feel that the six weeks rather than the 12 weeks issued shows that a mistake has been made by VK Stores,” said Mr Hussain.

“I am now retraining staff and am happy to work with Swindon Council in the near future.”

It emerged Mr Hussain had submitted papers showing staff had been trained in legal knowledge for the selling of cigarettes and booze during a Licensing Panel meeting at the Civic Offices yesterday.

During the hearing it was revealed a worker at Mr Hussain’s store was asked the question: “If a customer didn’t have proof of age what would you do?”

The answer given to the multiple choice questionnaire, after the worker had watched a 15 minute video of legal rules and regulations, was “to hazard a guess and take a chance”.

A 15-year-old test purchaser was refused booze just a week before alcohol was eventually sold to a juvenile at VK Stores.

During the August 29 sting Mr Hussain was not in the country due to his father’s death. The worker who sold the alcohol now no longer works at the store.

Mr Hussain does have Challenge 21 posters up in his store and at his other shop in County Road. A log book of each times they have refused to sell alcohol is kept up to date.

The shop in Gorse Hill will now be unable to sell alcohol for a six-week period from March 30. During these 21 days the owner can appeal the decision via Swindon Magistrates Court. A full audit of training measures will be made during the suspension.

Committee member councillor Eric Shaw (Con, Wroughton and Chiseldon) said the decision “reflected the seriousness of the case.”

It is not the first time Mr Hussain has been in hot water with the licensing authorities. In November 2007 he appeared before a panel after trading standards received complaints that youngsters were buying booze at the shop and after a officers sent a 15-year-old in to buy alcohol.

After hearing details of the purchases on November 5, 2007, councillors tightened restrictions on the shop.

Just 25 days later trading standards sent in a 16-year-old to buy booze and he did – without being asked for proof age by staff.