A SHOP has lost its alcohol licence after it was found selling booze to under-age children.

The Boro 24 Hour shop in Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough, was investigated by Middlesbrough Borough Council’s trading standards department.

A test purchasing exercise took place during which alcohol was sold to two teenage boys, and further evidence of on-going under-age sales was collected.

Appearing at Teesside Magistrates’ Court, shop owner Surjit Singh Punyani and his sales assistant Nirjeet Singh pleaded guilty to the under-age sales of four cans of lager to two 15-year-old boys in June last year.

Mr Punyani was fined £294 and ordered to pay a £30 victim surcharge and £600 costs, while Mr Singh was fined £80, with a £30 victim surcharge and £400 costs.

Middlesbrough Council’s Licensing Committee has now revoked the store’s alcohol licence after hearing evidence of sales of alcohol, intelligence about further sales and continued breaches of licensing conditions.