A SUPERMARKET was found to be selling alcohol to children in an undercover sting by Trading Standards and police.
Several businesses in Rugby were targeted by officers in a bid to find out which would serve under 18s alcohol.
But Alma Supermarket on Clifton Road was the only one to serve two 15-year-olds alcoholic drinks.
Following the operation Ahmed Fakhrulddin Rashid, the person chiefly responsible for ensuring children are not sold alcohol, was prosecuted by Warwickshire Trading Standards. Officers said he appeared unaware of ‘Challenge 25’ – the retail scheme to encourage staff to ask customers buying alcohol for age ID if they looked under 25 – nor seemed to understand alcohol sales training for staff.
At Nuneaton Magistrates Court on Tuesday (October 16), the 43-year-old of Taurus Close, Leicester, was found guilty in his absence and fined and ordered to pay costs of around £3,000.
Spokesman for Community safety, county coun Andy Crump said: “The sale of alcohol to children is a concern for many of our communities and one which Trading Standards and the police are determined to crack down on.
“While many of our retailers are very responsible and operate Challenge 25 schemes, a few are still prepared to sell alcoholic drinks to children. This can lead to anti-social behaviour and can damage the health of young people. Trading Standards will continue to work in partnership with the police and our retailers to prevent these sales.”
