Storeworker fined for selling booze to under 18s

Ashfield District Council community protection Officers witnessed several teenagers aged 14 – 16 years of age leaving the store during the evening of Saturday April 7.

The teenagers were stopped nearby and found in possession of alcohol including a bottle of vodka and several cans of beer.

They admitted to officers that they had purchased the alcohol from Ashfield Stores.

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

Sgt Martin Severn who chairs the Sutton-in-Ashfield Community Alcohol Partnership said “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 licenses.

He added: “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 license. A large proportion of youth related anti-social behaviour and disorder is influenced by the consumption of alcohol so it is important for us to deal with such matters. ”