Shopkeeper sold a bottle of vodka to girl, 14, while 'distracted by TV football'

Girl 'smelled of alcohol' on return home

- Sentinel Reporter

A SHOPKEEPER sold a bottle of vodka to a 14-year-old girl while he was distracted by a football match on TV.

The teenager's dad complained to Newcastle Borough Council about Merrial Express after spotting his daughter had 'red eyes and smelled of alcohol' following the incident in July 2024.

Priyantha Tilakasiri Narasingha Mudiyanselage is now facing a bill of more than £5,000 after admitting selling alcohol to a person aged under 18 at the Merrial Street store.

Magistrates at North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard that CCTV footage showed him handing over the bottle and accepting cash, without entering the transaction into the till.

Simon Kiely, prosecuting on behalf of the council, said: "On July 8 Newcastle Borough Council received a complaint from an individual about a shop that had sold alcohol to his daughter and her friend.