Girl, 5, fined for selling lemonade without license

LONDON — A British man and his young daughter have gained international attention for being fined for selling lemonade.

Andre Spicer said his daughter, 5, was left in tears after local council officers fined her $195 for selling lemonade without a license in the east London borough of Tower Hamlets near their home.

Spicer said his daughter was selling homemade lemonade to fans attending the Lovebox dance festival when she was fined.

The four officers approached her and began speaking in technical legal terms, telling her that her lemonade stand infringed on local business rights.

Halfway through the interaction with the officers, Spicer said his daughter burst into tears and said, “I’ve done a bad thing, daddy. I’ve done something wrong.”

“I think initially she was a bit shocked and sad,” Spicer said. “And then I suggested we try it again with a permit. And she said: ‘Oh, it’s a bit scary.’ ”

He hopes that his daughter will overcome the “heart-wrenching” experience and continue to pursue entrepreneurial ideas.

Spicer wrote an article about the incident for the Daily Telegraph that garnered hundreds of comments and shares online.

Local officials said the fine will be canceled immediately. They have apologized to the family.

In a statement Friday, the council said it was “very sorry” about what happened and that its enforcement officers are expected to “show common sense, and to use their powers sensibly. This clearly did not happen.”