Leominster shop gives up booze licence after sting test
A shop in Leominster has surrendered its right to sell alcohol after a sting operation by the police discovered that it had sold alcohol to underage children without ID checks.
A shop in Leominster has surrendered its right to sell alcohol after a sting operation by the police discovered that it had sold alcohol to underage children without ID checks.
Youngsters were sent into Etnam News, in Etnam Street, and were sold alcohol with out being asked for ID, police said today.
On February 29, four days after police conducted the initial 'test purchase', Etnam News went on to sell cider to a 14-year-old girl.
At a hearing yesterday The Co-op in Dishley Street was also reprimanded by West Mercia Police for not checking the age of people purchasing alcohol.
The Co-Op was allowed to keep its licence but additional conditions were imposed on the store with regards to staff training and sales.
Etnam News surrendered its licence before the hearing.
Jim Mooney, police licensing officer for Herefordshire, said: "Both premises have shown a disregard to their own legal responsibilities and have failed to put in place the necessary checks that would have prevented the sale of alcohol to young people.
"It was our recommendation that both premises should have their licences to sell alcohol revoked, however the application for the Co-op was granted while the hearing for Etnam News did not take place as the licensee surrendered their licence beforehand."
