A trader, who appealed his conviction for selling alcohol to a minor, has seen his fine increased by a further £2,000.

Mohammed Akram who ran Local Express Day One in Lower Addiscombe Road, was convicted last August after an underage-girl successfully bought a Smirnoff Ice from his shop as part of a test-purchase operation by trading standards.

Akram, who held a two year lease on the business, argued he was not the person responsible and had done all he could to ensure the shop assistant he employed was a fit person to serve in the shop.

But, Croydon Magistrates Court heard, despite the assistant failing an exam regarding the sale of age-restricted products, Akram had allowed the assistant to continue selling goods including cigarettes and alcohol.

The court found Akram was responsible for the day-to-day running of the business and he was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay costs and a victim surcharge of £1,515.

At his crown court appeal on June 3, Akram again claimed he was not responsible, but Recorder Atkinson disallowed the appeal stating it was clear Akram had bought the rights in the shop and had a responsibility for the day-to-day running of the business.

He added there had been a degree of staff training initially, but it had not been maintained through the period of employment of the assistant and therefore he had not done all he could to avoid the sale.

Councillor Simon Hoar, cabinet member for community safety said the case was a prime example of the need for retailers to take advantage of training offered to them and their staff.