Aberdeen pubs and clubs caught in under-age booze sales clampdown

DOZENS of licensees have been caught in a crackdown on selling alcohol to youngsters.

Nearly 100 pubs, clubs and shops in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire were netted for alcohol-related offences involving under-18s.

The statistics, released by Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill, showed police caught 561 licensees across Scotland supplying drink to youngsters in the space of 12 months.

With 61 licensees caught selling to under-age customers, landlords in Aberdeenshire were Scotland’s worst offenders, ahead of Glasgow with 53 and Fife with 51.

Thirty-four incidents were recorded in Aberdeen, four fewer than Edinburgh.

However, the boss of one of the UK’s biggest pub chains said the penalties were “unfair”.

Tim Martin, chairman of JD Wetherspoon, said “Draconian” crackdowns using under-age test purchasers were adding to the rising pressure on landlords and forcing many pubs to close.

Alcohol campaigners in Aberdeen hit out at Mr Martin’s comments.

Aberdeen councillor Gordon Leslie, a member of the city’s Alcohol and Drug Partnership, said under-age drinking was contributing to other problems.

He said: “While there are some publicans in Aberdeen who do sell drink to youngsters, the majority are responsible and do well in dealing with the problem.”

And Aberdeen City councillor Bill Cormie said: “This is not acceptable from someone leading a company of this size.”

arennie@ajl.co.uk