Warning for off-licence which served teenager

A OFF-LICENCE owner who sold four cans of lager to a 15-year-old girl will continue to operate after staff training.

Swaran Malhi was given a police warning after being caught selling the lager in a trading standards operation.

But Stoke-on-Trent City Council's licensing sub-committee yesterday told the 65-year-old owner of Booze Bargains Extra, Beverley Drive, Bentilee, he could keep trading, as long as he observed certain new conditions.

Mr Malhi, of High Lane, said: "This was an unfortunate incident. I do not drink alcohol myself and have children and grandchildren. I would not like to see children drinking alcohol.

"I would never have served her if I knew she was underage.

"If any of my family members who work in the shop had done this I would have raised hell.

"I am embarrassed it was me who served her."

Councillors heard Mr Malhi has started operating the Challenge 25 scheme and has been studying literature provided by trading standards.

The shop owner was not prosecuted for the sale, but councillors have placed new conditions on his licence, meaning he must have a new CCTV system, the Challenge 25 scheme, new staff training and a refusals book in place.

Staffordshire Police licensing officer PC Ashley Harvey said: "We will not tolerate underage sales."