Wigan and Leigh Magistrates court heard that the teenager was served a bottle of alcopop by a staff member at the Bargain Booze store on Wigan Lane in Swinley last summer.

The young volunteer, who was wearing surveillance equipment, had been working with the police and Wigan Trading Standards making test purchases.

Shop owner Martyn Owen, who also owned two other Bargain Booze stores in Wigan, pleaded guilty to the offence as he was responsible for the shop in question.

Patricia Anderson, prosecuting for Wigan council, said: "The shop assistant sold the alcohol to our volunteer but was never asked her age or to provide proof of age.

"We spoke to the assistant, who explained that she had only started the job that week. She was issued with a penalty order notice."
The assistant said she had been told to ask for ID but there had been no formal instruction.

Owen, a 47-year-old father-of-three, was interviewed by the council's enforcement officers, and admitted there was no documentation to confirm that the staff member had received proper training.

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