THE FORMER owner of a wine trader has had his licence suspended after being caught in an underage alcohol sting.

Waheed Ahmed, of Voluntary Place in Wanstead, sold alcohol to a 15-year-old girl during a operation by Hertfordshire County Council Trading Standards in November 2008.

Mr Ahmed, who has since sold Classic Wines in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, appeared before Hertford magistrates last Wednesday (December 23), where he was stripped of his personal alcohol licence for three months.

The test purchase was not the first time teenage volunteers had bought drink at the shop and Broxbourne District Council revoked the store's licence in March this year.

Mr Ahmed was also fined £1,200 and ordered to pay £626 costs and £15 to an alcohol abuse victims’ fund.