Off licence in Court for sales to children

On 8^th September 2023, Mr Muhammad Junaid, the Director of Rehmat’s Hati Mini Market Ltd trading as Go Local of Royds Drive, New Mill Holmfirth appeared at Kirklees Magistrates Court regarding the sale of alcohol to a child under the age of 18 from his business. Mr Junaid, as Director, pleaded not guilty to committing offences under the Licensing Act 2003. The Court found Mr Junaid guilty after a trial and he was fined £600 - he was also ordered to pay a surcharge of £240 and pay costs of £2200, a total of £3040. Mr Junaid also pleaded not guilty to the company committing offences under the Licensing Act 2003. The court found the company guilty however no separate penalty was imposed.

The case was launched after West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service (WYTSS) received complaints about the premises selling alcohol to underage children. In April 2022 a 14-year-old volunteer entered the shop, under the supervision of a Trading Standards Officer, and asked to buy a bottle of alcoholic lemonade. The test purchaser was able to buy a bottle of Lemon Brew WKD for £2.99, without being challenged about their age or asked for any form of ID by the seller.

David Strover, Trading Standards Manager - Business Services said “This test purchase is part of an ongoing operation to tackle shops that sell alcohol to children and flout the law.  Retailers are advised to take steps to ensure that their staff are trained and competent at refusing sales to under 18s - Trading Standards will act to investigate and prosecute those traders who sell age restricted goods illegally.” 

Councillor Melanie Jones, Chair of West Yorkshire Joint Services Committee which oversees the work of Trading Standards said, “It is always disappointing to hear of local businesses that do not do the right thing and refuse sales of alcohol to under 18s. Trading standards wrote to the shop in advance of the test purchase to ask them to be vigilant, but the premises still failed the test purchase. The sale of alcohol,  tobacco and e cigarettes to minors is not acceptable and retailers must refuse the sale to comply with the law.”

Consumers wishing to report illegal trading practices, including the sale of age restricted goods to children can call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133 to report their concerns - this can be done anonymously.