London,
03
April
2011
|
23:00
Europe/London

Hackney shopkeeper and sales assistant prosecuted for selling alcohol to child

A Hackney shopkeeper and his sales assistant have been found guilty of selling alcohol to a child, following a joint operation by the Council and police.

On 30 March at Thames Magistrates Court, Mr Bremakumar Trading, of 56 Hemsworth Street, London N1, was found guilty in his absence of allowing, by act or default of another, the sale of alcohol to a police cadet.

Mr Bremakumar was ordered to pay a fine of £350, plus costs of £1106.18 and a £15 victim surcharge - a total of £1456.18.

Mr Nakun Patel - who was responsible for selling the alcohol - was also found guilty in absence and ordered to pay a lesser fine of £350 and a £15 victim surcharge, after the court recognised that Mr Patel had not been properly trained.

Hackney Council’s Trading Standards Team regularly works with Hackney Police and police cadets to carry out test purchase operations. These aim to crack down on the illegal sale of knives, fireworks, video games, alcohol and cigarettes, and on the date of the sale, two cadets visited 11 premises throughout the borough, accompanied by undercover police and Council officers.

Councillor Feryal Demirci, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods at Hackney Council said: “We are committed to protecting young people in the borough, and operate a zero tolerance approach to the sale of alcohol to under-18s. Licensees should be aware that we carry out test purchase operations all year round, and will take action against those found flouting the law ".

Jill Dimartino, Volunteer Cadet Manager at Hackney Police, said: "I am very proud of the Cadets on Hackney borough. All of them volunteer to give up their free time to take part in these operations, which without their help and participation would not be possible. This result shows that their hard work has paid off."

Traders who wish to obtain advice on alcohol sales can contact Trading Standards on 020 8356 4929.



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