New "name and shame" warning over illegal alcohol sales

1.43.11pm GMT Thu 22nd Mar 2007

A tough new warning has been issued to shopowners by Richmond Trading Standards in the wake of another successful prosecution of a local shopkeeper for selling alcohol to children.

Traders have been warned: If you're caught, we'll name and shame you. In the latest case Mrs Meerau Shandugan, owner of Croxons Newsagent, 43 Sheen Lane, was fined £100 and ordered to pay £500 costs when she pleaded guilty at Richmond Magistrates' Court on 15 March to flouting the law on liquor sales. The shop sold two girls, aged 14 and 15, two bottles of Bacardi Breezer. No proof of age or other identification was sought. The offences took place in May last year. The trader was caught out in a "sting" operation involving test purchases by underage volunteers.

The Council's Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Martin Elengorn, said:

"The minority of shopowners who flout the law risk court action, being fined and named and shamed. We have made the rules absolutely clear so there is simply no excuse for not obeying them. Our programme of test purchases will continue as we are determined there will be no let-up in our efforts to catch those who sell alcohol to children. These traders' actions fuel anti-social behaviour as well as doing the child's health no good at all."