So Cross !

[JoJo88]

And yet I was with my 17 yr old son on Friday, in the local co-op buying beer, he picked it off the shelf, carried it to the till, and carried it back to the car. I was served by someone a couple of years older than him (therefore ‘should’ have been aware he was potentially under 18 - they were at the same school) 🤷🏻. Unless in the States, it has never occurred to me that this isn’t allowed, so I’m glad I now know so that I won’t be surprised if ever I am stopped with my boys with me.

[duchy]

Originally Posted by JoJo88

And yet I was with my 17 yr old son on Friday, in the local co-op buying beer, he picked it off the shelf, carried it to the till, and carried it back to the car. I was served by someone a couple of years older than him 🤷🏻. Unless in the States, it has never occurred to me that this isn’t allowed, so I’m glad I now know so that I won’t be surprised if ever I am stopped with my boys with me.

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I don’t understand the “I was served by someone a couple of years older “ comment.
Your son is 17 so under the legal age to buy or be bought booze for , the assistant was older and over 18 which is the legal age to do both as well as sell it. I don’t understand why that’s relevant ?
Yes he should have refused you service legally whether he was 18 or 60, his age wasn’t relevant. Poor show on the store’s part as , as mentioned before , if caught in the exact circumstances you describe he too could be fined and be left with a criminal record which could be devestating for a young person s certain careers would then be unable to employ them.

[inky1]

Originally Posted by JoJo88

And yet I was with my 17 yr old son on Friday, in the local co-op buying beer, he picked it off the shelf, carried it to the till, and carried it back to the car. I was served by someone a couple of years older than him 🤷🏻. Unless in the States, it has never occurred to me that this isn’t allowed, so I’m glad I now know so that I won’t be surprised if ever I am stopped with my boys with me.

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Yes ,there doesn’t seem to be a consistent policy and that was part of the issue the same lad had served DH before in exactly the same circumstances.
I think the actual law is that it’s offence to buy alcohol for a minor but the shops have adopted a policy to rule out any chance that their staff can be compromised.
They then went to Tesco instead.

[duchy]

Originally Posted by inky1

Yes ,there doesn’t seem to be a consistent policy and that was part of the issue the same lad had served DH before in exactly the same circumstances.
I think the actual law is that it’s offence to buy alcohol for a minor but the shops have adopted a policy to rule out any chance that their staff can be compromised.
They then went to Tesco instead.

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No the law is clear both the store and the employee can be prosecuted for supplying alcohol to a minor Or for their consumption , not just you for buying it for them.
The fact some stores are lax in protecting both you and their employee from prosecution as well as themselves is more about how the store conducts their business.
If before the same staff member did it probably means they have got warned for it or they are aware spot checks are in operation (councils tend to do it in waves so stores warn other stores in the area the mystery shoppers are about and yours was a classic scenario that is frequently used)

[JoJo88]

Originally Posted by duchy

I don’t understand the “I was served by someone a couple of years older “ comment.
Your son is 17 so under the legal age to buy or be bought booze for , the assistant was older and over 18 which is the legal age to do both as well as sell it. I don’t understand why that’s relevant ?
Yes he should have refused you service legally whether he was 18 or 60, his age wasn’t relevant. Poor show on the store’s part as , as mentioned before , if caught in the exact circumstances you describe he too could be fined and be left with a criminal record which could be devestating for a young person s certain careers would then be unable to employ them.

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Sorry, should’ve clarified, he was a couple of years older, therefore knew my son and ‘should’ have been aware that he was potentially under 18 - wrote my post very early

[JoJo88]

Originally Posted by inky1

Yes ,there doesn’t seem to be a consistent policy and that was part of the issue the same lad had served DH before in exactly the same circumstances.
I think the actual law is that it’s offence to buy alcohol for a minor but the shops have adopted a policy to rule out any chance that their staff can be compromised.
They then went to Tesco instead.

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I agree. They only have to refuse the sale if they believe the alcohol is for the minor, not simply by the minor being there, so it is open to interpretation and personal judgement, hence the inconsistencies. As I’ve mentioned a few times now, I had no idea as it’s never been an issue!

This is from the Drink Aware website, which I assume is up to date. I’m not arguing the rights and wrongs of individual experiences, and now that I’m aware, I wouldn’t question the decision, but it’s not cut and dried.

Edit - apologies, the text isn’t very clear, I’m not sure how to improve it.

[inky1]

Originally Posted by JoJo88

I agree. They only have to refuse the sale if they believe the alcohol is for the minor, not simply by the minor being there, so it is open to interpretation and personal judgement, hence the inconsistencies. As I’ve mentioned a few times now, I had no idea as it’s never been an issue!

This is from the Drink Aware website, which I assume is up to date. I’m not arguing the rights and wrongs of individual experiences, and now that I’m aware, I wouldn’t question the decision, but it’s not cut and dried.

Edit - apologies, the text isn’t very clear, I’m not sure how to improve it.

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It’s it something I ever thought I’d need to know !
The real worry for me is the bit that it’s not an offence to give a child over 5 alcohol potentially shops should not be serving anyone who have kids over this age alcohol It’s bonkers .