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News

Licensees Are Warned About Selling To Under 18s

With the World Cup nearly upon us and in the wake of two recent prosecutions the Borough of Poole’s Environment and Consumer Protection team is reminding all licensees to be extra vigilant that they are not selling alcohol to under 18s.

Residents are also reminded that it is an offence to buy alcohol for a person under the age of 18 and action will be taken against anyone found to be supplying alcohol to under 18s.

The warnings come following the successful prosecutions of two Poole licence holders at Bournemouth Magistrates Court in May by the Environmental and Consumer Protection team for the selling of alcohol to people under the age of 18, despite previously receiving advice.

Yusuf Ozer the designated premises supervisor and personal licence holder at Tatnam News in Poole, was prosecuted for selling a can of Stella Artois to a 13 year old female.  Mr Ozer pleaded guilty claiming that mental anguish and tiredness had led to a lapse in concentration and apologised for the incident. He was fined £200 with costs of £150.

Personal licence holder, Imam Yildirim of Vicarage Stores in Poole, pleaded guilty to selling a bottle of Bacardi Breezer to a 13 year old female. Mr Yildirim apologised and stated that when he asked the female her age he thought she said she was 30 not 13. He was fined £150 with costs of £150.

Councillor Don Collier, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for the Environment said: “These prosecutions clearly demonstrate how seriously we take such incidents and we urge our licence holders and residents alike to take a responsible approach to underage drinking”.

Lucy Magill, Regulatory Services Manager at the Borough of Poole said: “Environmental and Consumer Protection Officers have recently been carrying out a series of test purchases. Of the 31 premises tested 6 sold alcohol to our 14 and 15 year old volunteers.  The volunteers were able to purchase lager and special brew and these cases are now being investigated. However, we were pleased that of those premises which refused to sell to the volunteer the majority were asking for ID”.

Officers will continue to carry out test purchasing operations to ensure that all licensees are complying with the law.   If in doubt licensees should always ask for ID as it is a criminal offence to sell alcohol to a person who is not 18.

Environmental and Consumer Protection have advice packs for all traders which fully explain sellers responsibilities and the consequences to them as individuals if they do sell.

If you would like to report a premises for selling to people under the age of 18 please phone 01202 261700 or email environment@poole.gov.uk

Lucy Magill, Regulatory Services Manager, Environmental & Consumer Protection, Borough of Poole, tel 01202 261736