Shopkeeper fined after selling alcohol to teenagers (From Croydon Guardian)

Croydon shopkeeper fined after selling alcohol to teenagers

5:30pm Monday 14th January 2013 in Local news

A shopkeeper has been fined after selling alcohol to an underage customer.

Raghaven Chandran, owner of Chassi Mini Market in Broom Road, Shirley, was fined £800 after admitting he sold alcohol to a 15-year-old.

Mr Chandran, who wrote an admission of guilt to Corydon Magistrates Court, was also ordered to pay £1,000 in costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Two volunteer test purchasers, working with Croydon Council, went in and bought two cans of lager last July, the court was told.

A trading standards officer observed the sale and told Chandran that he had acted illegally.

He confirmed that he hadn’t received training during his ten year ownership of the shop along with his staff. He admitted that he had failed to ask customers to prove their age.

Simon Hoar, cabinet member for community safety, said: “This case highlights the importance of traders being aware of the laws surrounding their business, and their own responsibilities.

“It also illustrates the value of their accepting the training courses offered by the council’s trading standards department.”