Licensee fined for selling alcohol to drunk person

Licensed retailers in Dover are being warned about the penalty for serving alcohol to people who are already drunk.

Neighbourhood PCSO Tom Tucker-Smythe was on patrol in Dover town centre on 22 August when he saw two men walk out of a shop with alcohol in a bag.

He intervened when he suspected that they had already drunk a large amount and noticed them slurring their words and being unsteady on their feet.

They admitted they were drunk and had bought alcohol from the shop.

PCSO Tucker-Smythe then challenged the owner of the shop and issued him with a £80 fixed penalty notice for breaching section 141 of the Licensing Act.

PC Steve Alexander, Licensing Officer for the Dover District said: "During the summer there has been information received that a number of the local retail shops have been selling alcohol to people that are already drunk.

"This is an offence under The Licensing Act and will be dealt with robustly if proven.

"This could result in a review and an application to revoke the Licence, and as a result, that premises would not be allowed to sell any alcohol in the future."