Shopkeeper ordered to pay £5,000 for underage alcohol sales

A Newcastle shopkeeper has been ordered to pay over £5,000 in costs and fines after selling alcohol to two fourteen-year-olds last year.

Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council’s licensing team successfully prosecuted Priyantha Mudiansalege for the sale at Merriel Express in Merriel Street on 5 July last year.

Magistrates at North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard on May 12 that Mudiansalege sold a bottle of vodka to the teenagers without checking for ID. After receiving a complaint, borough council licensing officers inspected the shop and found multiple breaches of their licence conditions in relation to bad housekeeping, including CCTV not working properly.

Mudiansalege pleaded guilty to two offences of selling alcohol to a child and breaching conditions of his licence.

Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council’s deputy leader and portfolio holder for finance, town centres and growth Stephen Sweeney said: “The borough council will not tolerate irresponsible traders who neglect their responsibilities, and we’re pleased to see a successful outcome to this prosecution.

“Selling alcohol to children harms them and their communities and as a council we’re committed to keeping people safe. We hope this serves as a warning that traders must be compliant with the law.”