To be released immediately

A premises in Waipukurau has had their liquor licence suspended for selling to minors.

The Liquor Licensing Authority has released a decision on a hearing held in Napier on 2 October 2009. Rosie O'Gradys has had their on-licence suspended for two days commencing at 7.00am on Friday 23 October 2009 to 7.00am on Sunday 25 October 2009.

The hearing related to a combined operation by the Central Hawke's Bay District Licensing Agency Inspector and the Police on Friday 29 May 2009 in which six premises were visited to test their willingness to sell alcohol to minors. On this night, the above premises sold alcohol to two minors, a 14 year old female and a 16 year old female within five minutes of each other.

The Duty Manager at Rosie O'Gradys on the night has had her General Manager's Certificate suspended for 28 days commencing on Friday 2 October 2009 and the bar staff members that sold to the minors were dealt with in the District Court.

The operation was conducted along the lines of similar Controlled Purchase Operations where volunteers below the legal age attempt to make purchases while being observed by the Police.

The Liquor Licensing Authority stated in their decision that they anticipate the sanction should act as a form of deterrent as well as being instructive about the future. They further stated that it is most depressing that licensees, managers and bar people continue to sell to minors, and while it is accepted that most of them have no intention of doing so, sales continue to happen.

This decision sends a clear message to the liquor industry that if you are caught selling alcohol to a minor, you will have your licence suspended.

Ends

© Scoop Media