Shop loses licence after selling alcohol to girls

There were "clear failings" in the management of the premises, a report said

A convenience store has lost its licence after selling alcohol to teenage girls.

A licensing hearing was told a 13-year-old was taken to hospital after being sold vodka at Jamuna Food and Wine in Medomsley, County Durham.

"I had to change my daughter as she was covered in dirt and sick and she then vomited in her bedroom," a statement from a parent read.

Designated premises supervisor Gopalan Gopalakirushnan said measures had been taken to prevent future incidents.

But a council licensing report concluded there were "clear failings" in the management of the store, and the committee ruled to revoke its licence and remove the designated premises supervisor.

The teenager entered the shop on 22 March with two other girls and was sold four cans of Dragon Soop and six cans of vodka.

She was taken to hospital the same day after vomiting from the alcohol, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

A review of the store’s CCTV system showed the sale was authorised without the girl providing any ID to prove her age.

The teenager later told officers she was asked three times if she had ID, and replied no, but was still sold alcohol.

It came after an initial underage sale was authorised on 8 March.

The licensing report said staff on the premises who were spoken to "appeared to have little understanding of the English language" and "struggled to know" law about underage sales.

Mr Gopalakirushnan said he "deeply" regretted the incident.