Inquiry after off licence sold alcohol to teens
AN off licence sold vodka, wine and cider to three 13-year-old girls who were later found ‘intoxicated’ in a nearby park.
The girls were not asked for ID when they purchased a bottle of vodka, four bottles of Echo Falls and a large bottle of Kopparberg from Royle News, in Breightmet, Bolton, councillors have heard.
Bolton council’s licensing committee held a hearing regarding the premises licence of the shop, also known as Breightmet Off Licence, in Bury Road.
The panel heard that tobacco manufacturer Gallagher had conducted a test purchase at the shop in August 2020 when their officer bought a packet of Richmond cigarettes for £6, which were produced from under the counter.
A report to the panel stated that they were not for legal sale in the UK with incorrect branding and were possibly counterfeit.
Other evidence put before the committee included a statement from police about the three 13-year-old girls being sold alcohol at the shop last November.
A police report about the incident was published as part of the evidence.
The report, from Pc Keiran Ditta, stated: “On Saturday, November 21, 2020, I was made aware of a log made at Royle News, Breightmet which stated they were selling alcohol to children. The report was from a mother who had found her daughter intoxicated after buying alcohol from Royle News.
“She stated that around noon her daughter, who is 13, and two friends the same age, went into Royle News to buy alcohol as it was common knowledge in the area that this shop didn’t ask for ID.
“The girls then went to Leverhulme Park before they consumed the majority of the alcohol.”
Another girl’s mother told police that ID was not asked for and the teens had paid in cash.
Pc Ben Brookfield also submitted evidence to the committee for the review of the premises licence.
Premises licence holder Arshad Mehmood now faces sanction, including possible revocation of his licence.
The results of the hearing will be published by Bolton Council at a future date.