A CHRISTCHURCH trader has been given a 12-month conditional discharge for selling alcohol to a 15-year-old girl.

Oktay Kurtoglu, 27, pleaded guilty to committing the offence at Purewell News Food and Wine on August 18, 2011 while test purchasing checks were being carried out by Dorset Trading Standards Service.

Bournemouth magistrates heard how Kurtoglu had sold a can of cider to the teenage volunteer without asking her age. He was ordered to pay prosecution costs.

Ivan Hancock, Dorset County Council’s trading standards service manager, said: “Due to the efforts of traders across Christchurch, we have seen an overall reduction in the availability of alcohol and tobacco to young people through direct sale.

“In particular the sale of alcohol to children can contribute to antisocial behaviour and affect their health and safety.”