A RETAILER has today been ordered to pay �2,600 for selling booze to a child.

Laurence Cawley

A RETAILER has today been ordered to pay �2,600 for selling booze to a child.

Ravendeer Rai, of Chalkstone Stores in Haverhill, admitted the charge - brought against him under the Licensing Act by Suffolk County Council - when he appeared before magistrates today in Bury St Edmunds. He had sold a bottle of WKD blue to the underage buyer.

Hayley Johnson, trading standards officer at the council, said; “The sum of money Mr Rai has to pay is a significant sign that Trading Standards will come down hard on anyone who is caught illegally selling alcohol.

“We had spoken to Mr Rai on several occasions and tried to help him by giving advice on training for his staff on restricted age products.

“We also advised on how to record incidents where those who are under age try to buy products illegally. Unfortunately Mr Rai could not prove he carried out the training for the member of staff who sold the alcohol and therefore a prosecution was brought against him.

“Suffolk Trading Standards will take action against anyone we find ignoring our advice.”

Mr Rai was fined �1,500 for the sales of alcohol to someone who is underage and ordered to pay a further �1,100 costs.