Staff member at Ashfield off-licence fined for selling vodka and beer to teens

During the evening of Saturday April 7 Ashfield District Council Community Protection Officers witnessed several teenagers aged between 14 and 16 years of age leaving Ashfield Stores, Stoney Street, Sutton-in-Ashfield.

The teenagers were stopped nearby and found in possession of alcohol including a bottle of vodka and several cans of beer. The teenagers admitted to officers that they had purchased the alcohol from Ashfield Stores.

In response to this police and licensing officers attended the store and identified the member of staff responsible for the sale who was issued with £90 penalty notice.

In addition, the licensing team at Ashfield Council are working with the licensee to vary the premises alcohol license.

Sergeant Martin Severn, who chairs the Sutton-in-Ashfield Community Alcohol Partnership, said a large proportion of youth-related anti-social behaviour arises from the consumption of alcohol, so taking swift action was important.

He added: “Over the last few years, the Community Alcohol Partnership have been working with alcohol retailers in Sutton to promote a responsible ethos towards the sale of alcohol, this has included providing training to staff at off licences.

"Where stores are not acting responsibly then this must be dealt with accordingly which can include a fine, court appearance and review or loss of the alcohol licence.