Linda’s dishes serve her well

Nov 15 2007 by Louise Dicks, Gwent Gazette

AN Abertillery retailer has been banned from selling alcohol for three months after selling to an underage customer.

Two 15-year-old girls made test purchases at Penybont Service Station, Cwmtillery, in May and June, a panel of three councillors were told at a licensing review.

Under the Licensing Act 2003 licensing powers were transferred to local authorities.

Trading Standards officers, together with Gwent Police, organised the test purchases.

Asked to review the premise licence on Tuesday, October 30, councillors decided to suspend owner Amrit Golhar’s licence for three months.

Three months is the longest term of suspension that a local authority can impose under the Licensing Act.

Mrs Golhar asked the panel for leniency and said she had introduced new and stricter procedures since the test purchases were made.

Executive Member for Environment, Coun Hedley McCarthy said: “Trading Standards and the Safer Blaenau Gwent Partnership are working hard to prevent the sale of alcohol to underage young people.

“For example, we provide VALIDATE proof-of age cards to all 16-year-old schoolchildren in Blaenau Gwent.

“Retailers locally need to be aware that if they do break the law and sell alcohol to young people under the age of 18 they face severe penalties.”

Mrs Golhar had 21 days to appeal the decision.