IPSWICH: A shop worker is today counting the cost of selling alcohol to youngsters after he was caught doing so for the third time at an east Ipswich store.

A Suffolk County Council Trading Standards sting has led to Pick ‘n’ Pay, of Queen’s Way, Ipswich, and its employee, Aspi Shah, being fined a total of �1,200.

They were also ordered to pay combined costs of �600 by Ipswich magistrates.

Trading Standards officers first conducted a test purchase at the store on December 18, 2008, when 58-year-old Shah twice sold booze to under-age customers. On that occasion, he received an �80 fixed penalty notice.

The shop was visited again by officers in August last year when further advice was given relating to age-restricted sales.

This year, Trading Standards officers received reports that the store was continuing to sell alcohol to people under the age of 18, despite having already been issued with a fixed penalty notice, advice and training pack. A further test purchase was made at the store in July when Shah, of West Wembley, again sold alcohol to a child – this time a 15-year-old volunteer.

Of the six test purchase attempts made during the evening at other Ipswich premises, Pick ‘n’ Pay was the only store that sold.

South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court fined Pick ’n’ Pay �1,000 and ordered it to pay �500 costs.

Shah was fined �200 and told to pay �100 costs.

n If you have information of a trader selling alcohol to youngsters, contact Suffolk Trading Standards department anonymously on 01473 264859.