Underage Firework and Alcohol Sales in Thatcham
JMG Stores Ltd trading as Crown Mead Stores in Thatcham were convicted after pleading guilty on Friday 20th November 2020 at Reading Magistrates of one offence of selling fireworks and alcohol to a person under the age of eighteen and one offence selling a firework out of the permitted time. At the same hearing Mr Manmohan Nagpal (a Director of JMG Stores Ltd and Designated Premise Supervisor) was convicted of one count of selling alcohol to an a person under the age of eighteen.
As part of the Public Protection Service (PPS) inspection programme Crown Mead Stores was visited in October 2019 where Mr Nagpal (the DPS and licence holder for the business) sold a 100 shot barrage firework to a 16 year old volunteer.
In December 2019 reports were received and a test purchase made by officers of the PPS which resulted in the purchase of a packet of 5x Air Bomber Rockets outside of the permitted selling windows laid down in law for stores that do not have a licence year to sell year round.
After this a follow up test purchase was made at the store by officers from PPP in conjunction with Thames Valley Police which led to the sale of a bottle of Strongbow to two 16 year old volunteers.
At neither sale was an attempt made to check the ID of the underage volunteers, despite the store displaying posters advertising a challenge 25 policy.
Mr Nagpal was fined £645 for the sale of alcohol to an individual aged under 18. In addition he was ordered to pay £650 costs and £65 victim surcharge. JMG Stores Ltd was fined £516 per offence for sale of a firework to an individual under 18 and sale of a firework outside permitted dates without an all year licence. The company were also ordered to pay £850 costs and £103 victim surcharge.
If any residents have concerns about the sale of age restricted products in Bracknell, West Berkshire and Wokingham they should contact the Public Protection Service either online at https://publicprotectionpartnership.org.uk/contact-us or call 01635 519930.
