County Durham store loses licence after selling alcohol to underaged kids

By: Bill Edgar, Local Democracy Reporter

A County Durham convenience store has lost its licence after selling alcohol to underage girls.

Jamuna Food and Wine in Medomsley was investigated by licensing officers after a concerned parent reported the shop to Durham County Council.

A licensing hearing was told a 13-year-old girl entered the shop on 22 March with two other girls and was sold four cans of Dragon Soop and six cans of vodka.

The girl was taken to hospital on 22 March after vomiting from the alcohol. “I had to change my daughter as she was covered in dirt and sick and she then vomited in her bedroom,” a statement from the parent read.

The parent also visited the store and urged staff not to sell the children any more alcohol.

A review of the store’s CCTV system showed the sale was authorised without the girl providing any ID to prove her age. The child later told officers that she was asked three times if she had ID, and replied no, but was still sold the alcohol.

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

The premises licence holder and Designated Premises Supervisor Gopalan Gopalakirushnan was not in the store at the time, the hearing was told.

“The staff on the premises who were spoken to appeared to have little understanding of the English language and struggled to know what the law was in relation to the prevention of underage sales,” a report stated.

“I have great concerns regarding the effectiveness of the conditions currently on this premises licence as these conditions have clearly not been adhered to.”

Mr Gopalakirushnan said he has “taken several important steps to ensure such a violation never happens again” including ID checking and staff training.

“I deeply regret the incident and the breach of trust it represents,” he added. “I am committed to making sure that Jamuna Convenience upholds the highest standards of compliance and safety moving forward.

“The measures I have put in place will prevent any future incidents and ensure that Jamuna Convenience remains a responsible and trusted part of the community.”

However, the licensing committee ruled to remove the Designated Premises Supervisor and revoke the premises licence.

The licensing report concluded: “There are clear failings in the effective management of these premises, and I do not think that Mr Gopalan Gopalakirushnan is able to positively promote the licensing objective of the protection of children from harm.”

(Local Democracy Reporting Service)