Two off-licences fail sale of liquor test

Police in the Taranaki are reminding licensees of the severe penalties that can be faced for selling liquor to minors, after two off-licences failed a Controlled Purchase test on Sunday (13 December).

Police from New Plymouth and Hawera joined forces with the District Health Board for the operation. Under their supervision two volunteers aged 16 and one aged 17 attempted to buy liquor, and they succeeded at off-licences in Inglewood and Eltham.

Sgt Robyn Burnett of Hawera Police said: "Overall we are really impressed with the outcome as 13 of the 15 premises passed the test and refused to serve the youngsters. It is disappointing, however, that the rules are still being ignored by some."

In June of this year four licensed premises failed a similar operation in South Taranaki and in each case their license was suspended and the duty manager had their management certificate suspended for up to a month.

"The Liquor Licensing Authority has sent a clear message that people selling alcohol to minors can 'expect severe consequences'. Duty managers and licensees are vicariously liable for breaches made by their staff, so not only must they follow the rules themselves, they must ensure that their staff do the same. If not, they could still find themselves in serious trouble."

Even if a local resolution is reached for a first offence, a second offence will always lead to a licensing hearing, and a third or subsequent breach within a two year period could mean a complete loss of licence, and potentially livelihood, so the consequences become very serious, very quickly.

It is very simple to avoid prosecution - insist on ID and refuse to serve anyone underage.

The premises that breached the law are not being identified at this stage but both will appear before the Liquor Licensing Authority in due course.

Media enquiries should be referred to Sgt Robyn Burnett on 06 278 0260.