A DUDLEY town centre shop licensee who was caught selling alcohol to underage teens has had his licence suspended.

Dudley Council’s licensing committee suspended the licensee of Naiks Mini Market in New Street - Gurnaik Singh - for two months.

The decision came after the council’s trading standards department applied for the licence to be reviewed following a number of under-cover test purchase operations in recent years.

The committee heard how test purchases made on October, 24 2005 and February, 14 2007 had resulted in magistrates court fines for the shop after 15-year-olds were served bottles of cider.

Members suspended the licence for two months and ordered the removal of all alcohol from shelves during the period.

Councillor Julian Ryder, chair of the licensing committee, said: “This suspension of licence should send out a clear message to all licence holders that the council will take strong action following any convictions or breach of conditions identified by the council’s trading standards team and police in relation to under-age sales.

“Any further breach or non-compliance brought before the Licensing Committee could lead to revocation of the licence.”

The committee also imposed a number of conditions to ensure the safety of children on the premises.

These include the premises operating a Challenge 25 proof of age scheme, as well as CCTV which will be made available to the police or authority on request.