Issued By Cumbria County Council

PUBLICANS FINED FOR SPIRIT SUBSTITUTION

Two publicans in the Kendal area appeared before the town's magistrates today (Tuesday 17 September) to plead Guilty to charges of spirit substitution. 

Nigel Zulli-Virgin of the Wheatsheaf Inn, Brigsteer was fined a total of £1000 and ordered to pay £600 costs for selling:-

1.  from a Smirnoff Vodka bottle, vodka that was not Smirnoff

2.  from a Gordons Gin bottle, gin that was not Gordons

In a separate case, David Russell Atkinson, owner of Idols Sports Bar, Kent Street, Kendal was fined a total of £2500 and ordered to pay £600 costs for selling:-

2.   from a Smirnoff Vodka bottle, vodka that was not Smirnoff

All charges were brought under the Food Safety Act 1990 by Cumbria Trading Standards following anonymous complaints to the department by members of the public.

Councillor Jack Richardson, spokesman for Community Safety, said: "These are neither the first nor the last cases of this type to go before the Courts in Cumbria.  The penalties serve as a warning to all publicans to make sure that they sell only genuine spirits".

Notes for Editors:

For more information on this press release contact Patrick Thomas, Principal Officer, Cumbria Trading Standards on 01539 773591.