Newsagent sold cigarettes to underage volunteer

A NEWSAGENT in Lutterworth was caught selling cigarettes to a 15-year-old boy in an undercover operation by trading standards officers.

Nicholas Smith (43), from Leicester, admitted selling tobacco to a person under 18 at Millennium News, in High Street, last October.

He appeared at Harborough Magistrates’ Court last Thursday.

Prosecutor Sarah Varley said a 15-year-old volunteer was able to buy cigarettes. She said: “The man behind the counter was the defendant, he did not ask for identification.”

Smith failed to respond to a questionnaire which meant a summons was issued.

In mitigation, Mike Garvey said Smith had been depressed and this was why there was a delay in responding to the questionnaire.

He added that the shop followed the Challenge 21 procedure. Smith was given a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £759 costs.