Booze Corner Ltd, an off-licence in Willenhall, has been fined £1,200 after selling alcohol to a person who was below the legal age to purchase it. The sale took place during a test purchase exercise by Walsall Council's Trading Standards Department. 

A 14-year-old volunteer was sold four cans of John Smith's beer and a packet of 20 Benson & Hedges cigarettes in November 2017 after stating that they were 18 years old. 

Mr Sorinder Singh, who sold the items and is also a director of Booze Corner Ltd, the company that owns the store, appeared at Wolverhampton Magistrates’ Court in June 2018 along with the company to answer charges under the Licensing Act 2003 and the Children and Young Persons Act 1933.

Mr Singh and Booze Corner Ltd both pleaded guilty and were sentenced on 6 July 2018. Mr Singh received a fine of £180, and was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £30, and £692 in costs. Booze Corner Ltd was fined £1,200, ordered to pay a £170 victim surcharge, and costs of £692.

Trading Standards Officers had visited Mr Singh in early 2017 and advised him that members of staff needed to ask for ID to confirm a purchaser’s age. However, the company had failed to implement any steps to prevent underage sales and had not recorded any staff training.

Should you have any questions about your legal obligations in relation Trading Standards matters and need a specialist Solicitor, call James Lowe, our Regulatory and Licensing Partner on 07833 240 400 for advice and assistance.