A Londis shop in Crayford has had its licence to sell alcohol revoked by the council after it was caught selling booze to a child.

The decision to take the licence away from the store in Northend Road was made following a behind-closed-doors session at Bexley civic centre today (January 16).

The shop was caught in an undercover operation selling a Koppaberg Cider to a 16-year-old volunteer without asking him for ID.

Trading Standards found that as well as selling the drink without challenging the teenager’s age, the seller himself was two days off his 16th birthday.

“The volunteer entered the shop and selected a bottle of Kopparberg from a refrigerated shelf,” inspectors said.

“When he arrived at the counter, he was asked for £2.29, which he paid.

“He was not asked his age nor asked to produce any form of identification.”

Two people – one of whom was Janeash Sooriyabalan, the licence holder – were behind the till, but it later transpired the sale was made by the second person, who was only 15 years old.

The shop’s licence holder can appeal the council’s decision, taking the decision to a magistrates’ court or apply for a fresh licence in the future.