A SHOP has been ordered to pay thousands of pounds in fines and court costs after selling vaping liquid to a 15 year old.

The owners of Vapourwise, in Thatcham, appeared at Reading Magistrates' Court over the offence of selling a nicotine based vape liquid to a person under age 18.

It followed an investigation by Trading Standards as part of a planned test purchase at the shop, in High Street, Thatcham, on Feburary 20.

West Berksire Council said the company was previously given a warning after a young person under the age of 18 was sold vape liquid containing nicotine on August 30, 2018.

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The shop, which also has shops in Andover and Tilehurst, was told Trading Standards would revisit and stage another test purchase, which resulted in the 15-year-old volunteer being sold the product on February 20.

The teenager was asked for identification, but she explained she didn't have any proof of age and claimed to be 18 years old.

A senior member of staff was consulted and the seller was told that he could complete the sale.

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As a result, the firm was fined £800 and ordered to pay £2,041.88 in court costs, plus an £80 victim surcharge at Reading Magistrates' Court on November 22. 

Public Protection Partnership manager Sean Murphy said: "It is very important that retailers of age restricted products have robust proof of age policies in place and ensure they are adhered to.

"This includes asking for age verification identification in line with the retailer’s policy and refusing to sell where this cannot be provided.”