16 - Counterfeit vodka seller before the courts

 

 

Terence Kelly, aged 23, formerly from The Talbot Hotel, pleaded guilty to the offence when he appeared before Dudley magistrates on Friday. He was fined £300 and ordered to pay the prosecution’s costs of £2,383.

 

Following an anonymous tip-off Dudley Council’s trading standards officers inspected the hotel in February 2007 and found inferior vodka in a genuine Smirnoff bottle.

 

Kelly claimed to have no knowledge the drinks had been switched but acknowledged that, as the licensee, it was his responsibility and he should have exercised more control over his staff. 

 

 

“The public are entitled to get what they pay for and do not expect to get duped when they go for an evening out.

 

“Trading Standards carry out routine inspections to protect not only the interests of the public but also honest traders too.

 

“I hope this prosecution sends out a clear message to anyone else who might be tempted to swindle the public in this way.”