Off licence owner sold drink to children

THE former owner of a Great Sankey off licence has pleaded guilty to selling alcohol to children after an investigation by Warrington Borough Council.
Jeyakumar Sellathurai, from Andromeda Way, St Helens, was the owner of Stanley Wines, on Lingley Road.
The 43-year-old pleaded guilty at Warrington Magistrates Court to offences of selling alcohol to under-18s.
The court was told test purchase operations were carried out in July and September last year and alcohol was sold on both occasions to an individual under the age of 18 years.
Sellathurai pleaded guilty by letter and was fined £333 in his absence, ordered to pay a £33 victim surcharge and £600 in costs, totalling £966.
After the hearing, Dave Watson, Warrington Borough Council public protection unit manager, said: “We are committed to preventing harm to children and this sends a clear message to all premises that selling alcohol to children under the age of 18 will not be tolerated. We will take action against any business found to do so.”