29 March 2012
The company which owns a Blackwood pub has been taken to court and fined, after selling alcohol to under 18's during a multi-agency test purchase operation.
The owners of the Penllwyn Manor in Pontllanfraith, Penllwyn Manor Limited were taken to court following a Trading Standards and Gwent Police test purchase operation in November 2011, where two test purchase volunteers aged 15 and 16 were served with two cans of Carling lager.
The case was heard at Caerphilly Magistrates Court on 13th March 2012. Penllwyn Manor Limited did not attend court; therefore the case was proven in their absence.
The company was found guilty under the Licensing Act 2003 and was fined £1,000 for the offence. They were also ordered to pay costs to the council of £236 and a £15 victim surcharge.
The employee who served alcohol was dealt with immediately upon serving the test purchasers – they were issued with a fixed penalty notice of £80.
Rob Hartshorn, Head of Public Protection at Caerphilly County Borough Council said, "This successful prosecution emphasises our commitment to ensuring that alcohol does not get into the hands of our children".
He continued, "Thankfully the vast majority of businesses in our county borough do take their responsibilities seriously. However the fact remains there is a small minority who still do not. It is totally unacceptable to allow children the means of accessing alcohol and our Trading Standards team conduct regular test purchases on age restricted items, alongside our partners at Gwent Police, to ensure the law is upheld".
"We will continue to pursue prosecutions against those people who break the law in this manner".
Blackwood Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant Neil Jones, said: "Alcohol-related anti-social behaviour is often raised as a concern by local residents at PACT meetings. We will continue to work with Trading Standards to hold test purchases, and take action against those that continue to break the law and allow the sale of alcohol to under-18s."
For more information on how underage alcohol sales is being tackled in Caerphilly county borough, call Trading Standards on 01495 235 291.
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