An Anglesey landlord was recently found guilty of spirit substitution following a case brought by Trading Standards.
Gary David Chadwick, of George & Dragon, Church Street, Beaumaris was found guilty of one charge under the Food Safety Act and another under the Trademarks Act.
During a routine visit to the George & Dragon, Beaumaris, last year, an Anglesey Trading Standards Officer found a bottle of Smirnoff Vodka to contain a brand other than Smirnoff.
During the trial at Holyhead Magistrates Court on the 22nd January, Mr Chadwick claimed the substitution to have been caused by an unidentified member of staff, employed by him for only two weeks. Magistrates, however, did not believe his evidence and found him guilty. Mr Chadwick was ordered him to pay a total of £1,000 in fines and costs.
Principal Trading Standards Officer Emma Jones stressed, “Licensees must take responsibility for the spirits they sell and have systems in place to ensure stocks are monitored and that spirits sold are as described and of the quality demanded. Spirit substitution is fraud, detrimental to customers and other businesses, and will not be tolerated.”
Environment Portfolio holder, Councillor Bob Parry OBE, is responsible for trading standards matters. He added, ” In the current economic climate, people have less disposable income and so the least they can expect is to get what they pay for. Our Trading Standards Officers will continue to visit premises on the island unannounced, to ensure a level playing field for businesses and so that the public can buy with confidence and not be ripped off.”
