Cheap spirit prosecutions continue
It has not been a Happy New Year for several licensees found guilty of passing off cheap spirits as top brand names.
The International Federation of Spirits Producers (IFSP) has highlighted three cases which have been prosecuted in the first two weeks of January.
Linda Rollinson, owner of the Infield House Hotel in Barrow pleaded guilty to selling goods to which a false trade description, Smirnoff Vodka, had been applied.
She was fined £400 and ordered to pay £975 costs by Barrow in Furness Magistrates Court.
Magistrates did not revoke her license but gave her a warning.
Mark Blackborow, who ran the Old Crown in Great Bridge, admitted refilling Smirnoff vodka with another brand.
Blackborow defended himself in West Bromwich Magistrates Court.
He was found guilty of 3 offences and Magistrates handed him 100 hours unpaid work as a 12 month community order for each offence, to run concurrently.
He was also ordered to contribute £650 towards costs.
Raymond Benson pleaded guilty to refilling a bottle of Gordon's gin at Hull Criminal Court having elected to stand trial after initially denying charges related to selling under strength spirits and branded spirits that had been substituted.
He was given a conditional discharge and ordered to pay £1,000 towards costs.
Philip Scatchard, Director of the IFSP UK which with Trading Standards said: "There has been a significant reduction in the substitution rate, the number of licensees caught refilling branded spirit bottles with cheaper alternatives, but there are still too many rogue landlords that think that they can get away with this illegal practise.
"It is a criminal offence and can lead to loss of the personal licence. Trading Standards and Environmental Health officers will be continuing extensive inspection work during 2007 to catch offenders."
