According to recent proposals, any licensee or bar staff caught serving alcohol to under-18’s could face an unlimited fine.
Where the maximum fine that can currently be levied is £5000, under the new legislation, Magistrates will be able to impose unlimited fines for any so-called Level 5 offence – including the sale of alcohol to a child.
Additional fines proposed
The new proposals further state, that any licensee or bar staff found selling alcohol to somebody who is drunk, or being drunk and disorderly in public, could incur fines of up to £4000 – the current maximum is £1000. (The new proposals are being tabled under the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012)
Magistrates granted greater powers
In a recent statement, Justice Minister Jeremy Wright said “Financial penalties set at the right level can be an effective way of punishing criminals and deterring them from further offending.”
‘Challenge 21’
To alleviate any potential risk or claim, NDML encourage all licensees and bar staff to seek proof of age from anybody who appears to be under the age of 21.
Expert advice
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