A HUDDERSFIELD shop has been accused of selling alcohol and cigarettes to children as young as 12.
Stop and Shop in Crosland Moor could lose its licence when a Kirklees Council panel meets tomorrow.
Last October 27 West Yorkshire Trading Standards carried out a test buy at the shop after receiving reports that children as young as 12 were being sold alcohol and cigarettes.
Licensing officer Dennis Ager said the shop sold a £1.99 bottle of Lambrini wine to a 15-year-old girl who had volunteered to help trading standards.
In a report to Kirklees’s Licensing Panel Mr Ager said that a man behind the counter, who identified himself as Mohammed Jamil, sold the alcohol to the under-age girl without asking for any identification.
Mr Ager said: “I approached the counter and introduced myself to Mr Jamil and explained that I had just witnessed him selling alcohol to a minor.”
Mr Ager returned to the shop, which is on Nabcroft Rise, on November 29 to discuss the under-age sale.
He said: “Behind the counter was the man who had identified himself to me as Mohammed Jamil on October 27.
“But he gave his name as Shakil Ibrahim.
“When I said I wished to arrange an interview he started to laugh and said he wouldn’t be going to the offices of trading standards.”
Mr Ager then interviewed the man in the shop.
The shopworker made no comment when asked about selling alcohol to the 15-year-old girl.
On December 8 police cautioned a man at Stop and Shop after allegedly seeing him selling alcohol to an underage test purchaser.
The man, who gave his name as Mohammed Jalil, was fined £80.
The Licensing Panel will review Stop and Shop’s licence tomorrow.
It can take a number of actions, including revoking the shop’s licence.
Mohammed Jamil could not be reached for comment.
