A SHOP assistant at an off-licence with a reputation for serving underage drinkers has been fined £120 for selling beer to teenage youths.

Paramreer Singh Bhamrah, 19, of Wear Road, Stanley, appeared before Consett Magistrates' Court yesterday.

He worked at Khera Wines and Newsagents, in Wear Road, when he was caught serving eight cans of lager to teenage boys on September 29, last year.

Earlier this month, Derwentside District Council revoked the store's licence to sell alcohol.

John Garside, prosecuting, said: "Two youths had gone into the shop and bought eight cans of alcoholic lager.

"The shop assistant did not ask for any identification as they approached the counter.

"They appeared to be 15 to 16 years old. As the youths left the shop, they were stopped by officers.

"They said they purchased the cans from that shop because it was easy to get served."

Bhamrah pleaded guilty to selling alcohol to a 16-year-old and represented himself in court.

He said: "The lad who bought the alcohol had showed me ID a couple of times before. I had asked his mother, and she told me he was 18. Afterwards, the police told me he was not.

"I have asked him about his ID, and he said he got it off the internet."

Bhamrah told the court he is leaving England on Sunday to live in India.

As well as the fine, Bhamrah will have to pay £60 court costs before he leaves the country.

Chairman of the bench Kevin Radford said: "Underage drinking is a major problem in this area and we must never be seen to condone it.

"But we take into account that you are not the licensee and just a member of staff. We note that a fake ID was used and was realistic, but the youth did appear under 18 and you should have been more vigilant."

Shop owner Tajinder Singh had lodged an appeal against the council decision to revoke his licence, but withdrew it earlier this week.

Licensing officer Sergeant Tim Robson said: "It became apparent they were feeding the youth of the area with alcohol. It was the source of the underage drinking which led to anti-social behaviour, including drunkeness and criminal damage.

"This will benefit the community greatly."