Off-licences fined thousands of pounds after being caught selling alcohol to youngsters

A total of £5,689 was ordered to be paid from representatives from Anchor Wines on Anchor Road, Aldridge, Wardley News Kiosk at Bradford Place, Walsall and Drinks Corner, Lord Street, Walsall at Walsall Magistrates.

Each were caught selling alcohol or cigarettes to a thirteen-year-old female volunteer working on behalf of Walsall Council's trading standards team.

Baldev Dhesi, who ran Drinks Corner, also sold alcohol to a trading standards officer without having a license, Walsall Magistrates' court heard.

He did not appear in court but pleaded guilty via a letter sent to the court.

He was caught by trading standards officers selling cigarettes to a thirteen-year-old female volunteer.

When she asked whether she could buy a bottle of wine, he refused but only on the grounds that she didn't have her own bag to take the drink away in.

Following this, a trading standards officer returned and asked for a bottle of wine, prompting the defendant to ask if she had a bag with her.

When she told him that she did, he removed some covering from a fridge behind him, took out the bottle of wine, placed it in a white carrier bag and ordered her to put it in her bag.

Dominic Patouchas, prosecuting, said: "This shows a blatant disregard for the law.

"He admitted wrong-doing in interview and explained he had been under a lot of personal stress at the time."

Dhesi, who was forced to pay legal costs of £2135, was fined £160 for selling cigarettes to the volunteer, £500 for selling alcohol without a license and ordered to pay a £50 victim surcharge.

Jatinder Kaur, director of Anchor Wines, appeared on behalf of the company, which was ordered to pay a £1,000 fine, £100 victim surcharge and £672 in legal costs.

She pleaded guilty to selling tobacco to person under 18 years of age and selling alcohol to a person aged under 18.

Kerry Munroe, prosecuting, said: "A trading standards officer went into Anchor Wines with a thirteen-year old-volunteer who asked to buy cigarettes and a bottle of wine.

"The girl was asked twice for her ID and replied she didn't have it.

"When she was asked for her age, she told the shop assistant she was 18 under instructions from officers.

"The shop assistant told her to make sure she brought her ID next time so that her details could be kept on record."

Kaur's sister Sandeep Dhaliwall, who was working on the till at the time of the operation, also appeared in court.

She pleaded guilty to selling tobacco to a person under 18 years of age and selling alcohol to a person underage, before being fined £60 and asked to pay £372 in legal costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

Balwinder Kaur, owner of Wardley News Kiosk, appeared in court with Anil Bangar, manager of the shop.

Both made a joint plea of guilty to selling tobacco to a person under the age of 18.

They were fined £150, made to pay legal costs of £450 and ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge.

The kiosk has been under new ownership for the last six months and the current management have no connection to the case.

Chief magistrate Pam Nicholls said: "This has no doubt been an expensive lesson for you."

A Walsall Council spokesperson said: "Walsall Council confirmed that this was a result of a test purchasing exercise held in August last year and would serve as a reminder to retailers that they must ensure that cigarettes, alcohol and all related products are not to be sold to anyone under the age of 18.

"The council regularly carries out test purchasing exercises across the borough and retailers should ensure any staff are familiar with legislation."