A shopkeeper has been fined for selling cigarettes to a 15-year-old as part of a trading standards sting.
Carol Edwards, who runs the Premier Stores at Blackwood Bus Station, was the subject of a test purchase by Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Trading Standards team in February this year.
The test purchase came after complaints from residents and businesses of alleged underage sales.
Edwards, an experienced trader, sold a 15-year-old girl a packet of 20 Lambert and Butler during the test purchase, despite an age restricted sales prompt flashing up on the till during the sale.
Abertillery Magistrates Court ordered Edwards who did not attend court, to pay a fine of £525, costs of £427.29 and a victim surcharge of £15 – a grand total of £967.29.
Councillor Lyn Ackerman, cabinet member for the environment, said: “Selling age-restricted items to children is completely irresponsible and is an offence which our Trading Standards officers are committed to tackling.
“Smoking is a leading cause of premature death and illness in Wales, so it is vital that we do not allow tobacco and other age restricted products to get into the hands of our youngsters.
“It is pleasing that the court has emphasised the seriousness of this offence by the fine it has imposed.”