Shamed liquor stores named

Three Western Bay liquor shops that sold alcohol to an underage teenager have been named _ and may have their licences suspended.
McCallum's Fine Wines and Spirits in Greerton, Gate Pa Liquor and Greerton Four Square were all caught selling a box of a dozen beers to a 17-year-old in an undercover sting.
Two licencees didn't ask for identification and one didn't even ask his age.
The sting was run by Tauranga police, Tauranga City Council licensing inspectors and Toi Te Ora Public Health officers between 6pm and 9pm on May 17.
Police have named the three businesses and are warning other licencees to beware as more crackdowns and undercover stings are planned.
McCallum's Fine Wines and Spirits has been prosecuted for selling alcohol to a minor in the past and was prosecuted in Tauranga District Court in December 2005 by the way of a $250 fine.
The manager, who refused to be named, said he was remorseful and admitted he was the one who had sold alcohol to a minor in both the 2005 sting and the latest one.
In the one this month he said he had taken the teenage boy's word as to how old he claimed he was.
"He gave his birth date as 5/11/88. I just trusted him. It was a mistake."
When asked what the implications of their illegal sale could mean for the family operated business, the man said "we are really worried".
The owner of Gate Pa Liquor said his manager had been on duty in the shop without his presence and had made the decision to assess the teenager's age on his looks and did not ask for ID.
The owner, who refused to be named, said it was the store's first mistake and every appropriate action had been taken to avoid it happening again in the future.
Anita Lal, owner of Greerton Four Square, said her male manager had asked the teenager twice whether he was over 18 and on both occasions he had allegedly said "yes".
"We have spoken to all staff and admit to this honest mistake," she said.
Police are seeking suspension of the off licence certificates of all three businesses.
It was the store manager that sold the alcohol to the teen in all three instances. It will be up to the authority to decide whether to suspend licences and for how long. It may hold a public hearing.
Five of eight other liquor outlets visited in the sting passed the test.
Sergeant Nigel McGlone, of the Tauranga police Liquor Licensing Unit, said the eight businesses in the sting were chosen because of information received, complaints or at random.
"Police already have enough problems with kids under the legal age who are being supplied alcohol. We will not tolerate the under-age sale of liquor and that's not just off licences but on licences, sports clubs and restaurants."
He praised those shops that had refused to sell the alcohol.
The only people legally allowed to supply alcohol to minors are their parents or legal guardian.