The former operator of a Stockton convenience store which sold alcohol to underage children – as well as selling counterfeit cigarettes – has been prosecuted.
Stockton Council’s Trading Standards Team arranged a test purchasing operation on 24 July 2014, in which 16-year-old volunteers were sold alcohol at the store European Foods on Hartington Road in Stockton.
At the time, Alex Issmat, 32, was the premise licence holder and designated premises supervisor of the shop.
On 6 August 2014, a search warrant was executed and quantities of counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco were seized.
In October 2014, European Foods’ premises licence to sell alcohol was revoked by the Council’s Licensing Committee, after the store became a focal point for anti-social behaviour.
At Teesside Magistrates’ Court, Issmat pleaded guilty to two offences under the Licencing Act 2003 and the Trade Marks Act 1994.
He was fined £270 and ordered to pay £1,700 in costs and a victim surcharge of £20.
In mitigation, Mr Issmat said that he had effectively walked away from the premises in the summer of 2014, due to the ill health of his mother – and that he had not taken steps to ensure that the premises was handed over and the licence signed over accordingly.
However, in court, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council requested a forfeiture and destruction order of all the items seized – and also requested that the court order the forfeiture of Issmat’s personal alcohol licence.
The court agreed and Issmat was asked to submit his personal licence to the council within 14 days.
After the hearing, Cabinet Member for Access, Communities and Community Safety at Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, Councillor Steve Nelson, said:
“Our residents’ safety and the reduction of crime is of utmost importance to us – and our Trading Standards team play an important front line role in protecting people from underage and counterfeit sales.
“We take all reports of retailers illegally selling alcohol to children very seriously, because we know of the dangers this poses to our young people and the wider community.
“All cigarettes are harmful – but counterfeit products, such as those sold by Mr Issmat, can be particularly dangerous.
“Anyone concerned about counterfeit products or retailers selling goods to underage children, should contact Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s Trading Standards team on 01642 526560.”
Duncan Lewis Criminal Solicitors
Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors can advise retailers and market traders facing charges of selling alcohol to underage customers at any stage of a charge – and are also able to advise on charges relating to:
• Counterfeit goods
• Food hygiene
• Illegal products (eg bushmeat)
• Mislabelling of products
• Weights and measures.
There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and our criminal defence lawyers can attend interviews with investigating authorities to advise on charges relating to consumer protection offences.
For expert legal advice on consumer protection charges, call Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors on 0333 772 0409.