Legal News

A former Derbyshire shopkeeper has been fined £1,458 for selling alcohol to a person under the age of 18 and storing fireworks without a storage licence.

Anthony Arokiyanathar, 38, of Bartholomew Close in Rotherham was previously the owner of Holmesdale Convenience Store in Dronfield, Derbyshire.

However, the offences he was charged with date from 12 March to 30 April 2015 – and took place while Arokiyanathar was the owner of the Holmesdale Convenience Store. Ownership of the store was later transferred.

During a routine test purchasing exercise, Derbyshire Trading Standards officers found that the shop sold cans of beer to a 16-year-old boy.

At a follow-up visit, Trading Standards officers also discovered that the shop was also storing hazard type 4 fireworks without a licence.

The court ordered the fireworks to be seized and destroyed.

At Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court on 11 November, Arokiyanathar pleaded guilty to the charges.

Arokiyanathar was fined £250 for selling alcohol to a person under 18 –
and £417 for storing more fireworks than legally allowed without a licence.

He was also ordered to pay costs of £600, plus a court charge of £150 and a victim surcharge of £41.

After the hearing, the council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Communities, Councillor Dave Allen, said:

“Selling alcohol to anyone under the age of 18 and illegally storing fireworks is dangerous and irresponsible.

“We have a duty to protect consumers in Derbyshire – and traders who do not follow the rules will be caught and dealt with appropriately.

“We'll continue to do our utmost to make sure that consumers are kept safe from harm and stop honest businesses from suffering.”

Duncan Lewis Criminal Solicitors

Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors can advise at any stage of a charge relating to consumer protection law, including selling tobacco without displaying a health warning, selling tobacco, alcohol or fireworks to children, breaches of licensing conditions or failure to obtain a licence, selling or trading in counterfeit goods, weights and measures offences and selling food products not fit for human consumption.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and a criminal defence solicitor can attend interviews with prosecuting authorities such as the police, HMRC or Trading Standards.

For expert legal advice on consumer protection offences, call Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors on 0333 772 0409.

For 24/7 help at a police station, call the Duncan Lewis 24-Hour Emergency Helpline on 0333 772 0607.