On Wednesday 16 June at Thames Magistrates Court two people working at a Hackney shop pleaded guilty to one charge of supplying alcohol to WDK Original Vodka Blue to a minor.* The Court ordered Mr Haluk Fikircier, the Licensee to pay a fine of £500.00 plus costs of £200.00 and the staff member who sold the alcohol. Mr Emre Bayraktar was ordered to pay a fine of £150.00 and costs of £50.00. The alcopop was sold by Istanbul Supermarket 217-219 City Road, London EC1 1JE.

The fifteen-year-old girl, who bought the alcopop, was working undercover for the Council’s Trading Standards officers and the Police. A programme of test purchase operations, managed by the Police and Council, runs throughout the year.

Cllr Feryal Demirci, Cabinet member for Neighbourhoods said: “There is no excuse for the dangerous and illegal practice of selling alcohol to a child. As part of Council and Police efforts to protect young people’s health and tackle anti-social behaviour, we will continue to run test purchase operations like this one. Retailers who sell restricted products can pick up advice on the law and on avoiding under-age sales by contacting Trading Standards for advice and information.”

Retailers can pick up an advice pack on the law and under-age sales, can contact Trading Standards on 020 8356 4929.