11:40pm Thursday 2nd September 2010
By Scott McPherson
SHOPKEEPER Sadrudin Bhatia was fined nearly £2,000 after his sales assistant was caught selling alcohol to a 16-year-old girl.
Magistrates heard on Tuesday that the sale took place on August 21 last year at Bhatia Stores, in Crombey Street, pictured, as part of a regular Trading Standards test purchase operation.
The court heard that assistant Nisar Khan had not been concentrating when he sold the 16-year-old test purchaser a Bacardi Breezer.
Mr Khan said his lack of concentration was due to the fact he had begun fasting and that he had received worrying news about his father’s health.
Mr Khan did not ask for identification, the court heard, believing the girl was 19 or 20.
The court was told that Trading Standards Officers discovered that Mr Khan had not received the formal training required as part of the shop’s licence conditions and Challenge 21 posters were not being displayed.
Mr Bhatia, 48, of Field Rise, Old Town, was ordered to pay £1,980 for admitting three breaches of the Licensing Act 2003, with £774 costs and a £15 mandatory victim’s surcharge.
The chairwoman of the bench, Patricia Da Silva, said: “Locally and nationally the sale of alcohol to young people is very serious and we must insist on (shopkeepers) following the letter of the law.”
The premises licence for Bhatia Stores was reviewed as a result of this sale and a two-week licence suspension was ordered by Swindon Council’s licensing panel when they met on February 24.
Coun Brian Mattock, Swindon Council’s cabinet member for housing, community and partnerships, said: “We continually remind licensees of their responsibilities to comply with the law, and we deal firmly with those who don’t.
“Underage drinking can damage the health of our young people and lead to anti-social behaviour, which affects others in the community.”
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