Petrol station fined for under-age sale

It is illegal to sell petrol anyone under the age of 16

An Edinburgh petrol station has been fined after admitting selling petrol to a customer under the age of 16.

BP Oil UK Limited was fined £200 after petrol was sold to an under-age volunteer in South Queensferry during a test purchase exercise in August.

The sale was made to a 14-year-old, working on behalf of Edinburgh council.

The company was fined for breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928 at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

The test purchase exercise visited five petrol stations.

At three of them under-age volunteers were able to buy petrol - a 60% failure rate.

Petrol is a hazardous substance and we must ensure that it is not being sold illegally to children Robert Aldridge Edinburgh City Council

An Edinburgh City Council spokeswoman said if young people were able to access petrol, then they may be able to "perpetuate anti-social behaviour" for example fuelling mini motorbikes.

The exercise also tests whether petrol stations are obeying the law and providing the correct level of training to staff.

Robert Aldridge, Edinburgh City Council environment leader, said: "I am very concerned that three out of five petrol stations sold fuel to young people regardless of age.

"This behaviour is totally unacceptable. Petrol is a hazardous substance and we must ensure that it is not being sold illegally to children.

"I hope this fine will serve as a stark warning that retailers must abide by the legislation."