A DISTINCT lack of communication between staff led to a shopkeeper being charged with selling alcohol to children.

Mark Donlan (42), of Abden Street, Radcliffe, the licensee of MD Off Licence, on Abden Street, appeared before Bury Magistrates on Thursday, August 5, after Trading Standards staff undertook a survey in the area in June last year.

Shelagh Lyth, prosecuting on behalf of Bury Council, said: "Bury Trading Standards took part in a survey to check that the licensing laws were being complied with at the shop."

A 15-year-old volunteer was sent into MD Off Licence to buy alcohol and came out with two bottles of WKD Vodka.

Mrs Lyth continued: "Mr Donlan said he had not sold the alcohol to the youngster but it had been sold by a friend's son, Adam Lyons, who had been helping him out in the shop."

Lyons had been staying with Donlan after moving out of his parents' home and doing menial work around the shop in return for bed and board.

Footage from a secret camera, carried by the 15-year-old undercover customer, showed that it was Adam Lyons who had sold the alcohol, from behind the counter.

But Mr Donlan said he had not instructed Lyons (16) to work behind the counter or use the till before going upstairs for a shower.

John Kelly, for the defence, said: "Mr Donlan had asked Adam Lyons to keep an eye on things as there had been problems in the shop previously with young people causing violence and intimidating female employees. A female staff member was also working in the shop at that time.

"But Mr Donlan accepts that he did not make it clear enough to other employees what Adam Lyons was supposed to do and not do in the shop. This is a man of good character. He is in a lot of debt because of constant repairs that have had to be made to the inside of his shop and windows because of vandalism. Selling alcohol to children is not something he is in the habit of."

Mr Donlan was granted a conditional discharge for 30 months and ordered to pay £300 costs.