Teen's acting too good for alcohol sting

It was a sting operation that was too good to be true.

It tricked eight out of nine liquor outlets on Waiheke Island into selling alcohol to a teenage girl. But a judge has decided that because the 17-year-old gave an "Academy Award-winning performance" none of the stores will have their liquor licences suspended.

The sting operation, organised by the Auckland District Licensing Agency and Auckland police, involved sending a woman aged 17 years and nine months into nine off-licence premises on the island.

The teenager, described as a solidly built young Maori woman who was confident and articulate, was dressed smartly in black trousers and a black top.

She had been told by licensing inspector Donald Sara to say she was 18 if asked her age.

If she was asked for identification she was to show her driver's licence and it was expected she would not be served.

But in a just-released Liquor Licensing Authority ruling, chairman Judge Edward Unwin said the operation then "took on a life of its own".

The teenager told the shopkeepers she had just arrived at the island and was staying at one of its upmarket lodges. Friends had asked her to buy a bottle of wine.

On one store video she was shown browsing among the Pinot Noirs before moving to the international wine display. She then said she wanted a "Cab Sav" or something light.

"She not only exuded confidence, she stimulated conversations with the licensee. As stated by one witness, it was an Academy Award-winning performance," the decision said.

 

Of the nine outlets only a checkout operator at the local supermarket asked the teenager for identification and then refused to sell her the alcohol.

At a Liquor Licensing Authority hearing last month, police and the licensing agency sought the suspension of the stores' off-licences and suspension of the general managers' certificates.

But the store owners said they believed the teenager was at least 20 years old based on her confidence and appearance. She had not appeared nervous and initiated conversation.

Judge Unwin accepted their belief was reasonable. Dr Mike MacAvoy, chief executive of the Alcohol Advisory Council, said it was shocking that eight out of nine outlets had not asked for ID.

An Auckland City Council spokesman said the decision was extremely disappointing and the District Licensing Agency might appeal against it.