A convenience store has been banned from selling booze after illegally selling two vodka bottles to a 13-year-old.
The owner of Cabin News in Dover had even been warned a test purchase was impending just a week before staff handed the strong spirits to the child.
Now, the shop’s alcohol license has been stripped after a concerned parent discovered their teenager had been sold the liquor.
When officers visited the store the week before in January, they not only warned a test purchase was on the horizon but advised staff on ways to prevent underage sales.
After the parent alerted officers of the illegal sale, a probe revealed two bottles of vodka had been sold to the child – the owner could not explain why.
Following a Dover District Council licensing hearing on March 20, the newsagent’s authorisation to sell alcohol was revoked indefinitely.
PC Danielle Rolfe said: “Laws prohibiting the underage sale of alcohol are in place for a very good reason, to protect the health and well-being of children.
“With the help of partner agencies, we will continue to enforce those laws to protect young people, and I hope the action taken here sends out a warning to other premises that such sales have serious consequences.”
