Sainsbury's Fined
Sainsbury's Liphook branch was fined £800 and ordered to pay £1042 costs after pleading guilty, at Alton Magistrates Court on Wednesday, to selling cigarettes to a minor, a 14 year old girl.
The case was brought by Hampshire Trading Standards Service. The girl was one of a team of youngsters working with them as a decoy to catch traders who sell cigarettes to children.
The court heard that as with all members of the team the girl, if asked, had to tell the truth about her age.
Admitting the incident, which happened in August last year, Sainsbury's said that the member of staff who made the sale, was still with the company but had been re-trained.
After the case, Phil Thomas, Hampshire Trading Standards Manager, said that it was important to discourage youngsters from smoking.
Article posted on: 19 July 2003
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