Worker failed to challenge 14-year-olds about their age

A shopkeeper who sold alcohol to underage schoolchildren and failed to display mandatory tobacco warning notices in his store has been fined.

Harprit Singh Sareen, 22, admitted that an employee sold two bottles of Smirnoff Ice to the two 14-year-olds at Jay’s Superstore in Wembley Hill Road, Wembley.

Brent Magistrates’ Court heard the child volunteers were sent into the shop for a sting by Brent and Harrow Trading Standards Service (BHTSS).

The pair were not challenged about their age despite it being illegal to sell alcohol to anyone under 18.

In addition, BHTSS officers also noted Sareen had failed to display a tobacco warning notice stating ‘It is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18’ as required by law.

Shareen was fined �500 and ordered to pay a further �867 in prosecution costs to BHTSS.

He was also fined �50 for failing to display the notice.

Bill Bilon, BHTSS head, said: “This business is located opposite Wembley Stadium and in the vicinity of local schools where the sale of alcohol must be strictly controlled.”