A SHOPKEEPER has been fined after he admitted selling alcohol to a 14-year-old boy working undercover for trading standards.

Joghinder Singh, of Chapel Food Stores, in Sunniside, Gateshead, sold the boy four cans of Stella Artois lager, not realising the youngster had been recruited by Gateshead Council, Gateshead Magistrates' Court was told.

Mr Singh, who pleaded guilty to selling alcohol to a person under 18 years of age, was fined £500 and ordered to pay £60 costs.

Richard Ferry, from Gateshead trading standards, said: "We are putting a lot of effort into raising awareness of traders of the problem of under-age sales, so it's disappointing that some traders are continuing to make sales of alcohol to children.

"Prosecution is one of the ways we can tackle this problem, and we will continue to do so."

Mr Ferry said trading standards may ask Gateshead council's licensing committee to review Mr Singh's licence.