AN off-licence owner has been ordered to pay £1,000 after he was caught selling booze to teenagers during a sting operation.

Kaushik Patel, 59, sold two bottles of alcopop Wkd to two youngsters aged 14 and 16 at his Shrinas News store in Markhouse Road, Walthamstow.

Patel, who lives in the road, was fined £400 and ordered to pay £600 costs after pleading guilty in writing to Thames Magistrates Court.

The undercover operation was organised by council trading standards officers with support from police.

Cabinet member for environment, Cllr Clyde Loakes, said in a statement: "This shopkeeper is now £1,000 worse off as a result of selling two bottles at just £1.49 each.

"Not only do the amounts of money tell their own tale, but the way in which we have gone about exposing this retailer and his practices hopefully also sends a message.

“It is totally unacceptable to sell alcohol to children as young as
14 and unscrupulous shopkeepers who try to break the law in this way will be caught, and as the magistrates have demonstrated, will be punished.”

The Guardian is awaiting further details from the council.


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