Newsagent fined £800 for underage sale

A NEWSAGENT boss has been fined £800 after his shop sold tobacco to a 16-year-old.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday heard the sale happened at 45-year-old Muhammad Arshad's News Plus at Bruntsfield Place.

Fiscal depute Aidan Higgins said the offence came to light as a result of a test purchase scheme by Edinburgh City Council.

Arshad, of New Swanston, Edinburgh, admitted selling tobacco or cigarette papers to a 16-year-old at his shop on 13 November last year.

The court heard Arshad displayed signs in his store saying that anyone under 25 would be required to show identification.

Defence agent Leanne McQuillan said: "He said the person who was working that day knew to ask for identification but he accepts the sale took place."

Sheriff Kathrine Mackie said she reduced the fine from 1,200 to reflect Arshad's guilty plea.