The licensee of a bottle shop at Marsfield in Sydney’s north-west has been fined a total of $2,000 for offences relating to the sale of alcohol to a 17 year old.
During a covert operation in July last year, Liquor & Gaming NSW inspectors caught Marsfield Cellars (Liquor Stop) owner Ling Yun Qian selling a 700ml bottle of brandy to a male youth without asking for proof of age.
When questioned by the inspectors, the youth said he did not have identification. It was later determined he was aged 17 at the time of the sale.
In a court hearing last week, Qian was fined $1,200 for selling alcohol to the minor, $400 for selling alcohol without current Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) certification, and $400 for permitting/causing an employee to sell alcohol without RSA certification.
She was also found guilty of failing to display a prescribed notice stating it is illegal to sell alcohol to minors. No conviction was recorded for this offence.
Liquor & Gaming NSW Director of Compliance Operations Sean Goodchild says the case highlights the need for all licensees and staff involved in the sale of alcohol to ask for age ID from any customers who appear under the age of 25.
“The law couldn’t be any clearer,” he said. “Selling alcohol to minors is illegal – no exceptions.
“Any person who sells liquor to a minor can expect to face strict sanctions, including criminal prosecution and suspension or cancellation of their liquor licence. Maximum penalties for the offence are an $11,000 fine and/or 12 months’ jail. These are among the most serious offences under the NSW Liquor Act.”