A shopkeeper on Chatsworth Road, E5 was found guilty of selling alcohol to two 15 year olds at Thames Magistrates Court on 20 June 2008.

Mr Tas, owner and Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) of Kosk Supermarker was fined £500 and ordered to pay costs of £500 and a £15 surcharge for two bottles of Smirnoff Ice being sold to the teenagers on 14 March 2006.

Cllr Alan Laing, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods: "Hackney Trading Standards, in partnership with the police carry out regular operations to catch traders who sell alcohol and other age restricted products to children under 18. Selling alcohol to under 18s is a very serious offence, which can result in fines such as these, or the removal of the premises licence to sell alcohol.

“The prevention and detection work carried out by officers of sales of under age products plays an important role in protecting the health of young children and reducing crime and anti-social behaviour in the borough.”

Traders who need advice about underage sales can call Hackney Trading Standards on 020 8356 4929.