George Rodgers senior and his son, also called George, both denied selling the alcohol early one morning last year at Rodgers Newsagent in Grant Street, Merkinch, to James Morrison and Irma McCue.

Appearing at Inverness District Court, Rodgers senior as the licensee at the time pleaded not guilty to allowing his son, who was his employee, to sell a bottle of vodka, four cans of cider and a can of lager on 1st April, 2009, outwith the permitted hours.

Rodgers junior (51), of Leachkin Park, Kinmylies, denied selling or supplying the alcohol.

A short trial heard evidence from Mr Morrison and Miss McCue - now Mrs Morrison - who both told the court they could not recall the day in question or what they had bought from the shop which they frequently visited.

Depute fiscal Hilary Locker subsequently informed Justice of the Peace Pamela Mann that she did not intend to proceed with the trial and both accused were declared not guilty.

It comes almost a year after the shop was stripped of its drinks licence for six months by the Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey licensing board after Northern Constabulary had lodged a complaint that Rodgers senior (74), of Damfield Road, was no longer a fit and proper person to be the licence holder.

However, the shop was granted permission to sell alcohol from March this year by the board after an application was made by Rodgers' senior's daughter-in-law Vivienne Rodgers.

During the trial, Ms Locker asked Mr Morrison whether he could remember what he was doing at approximately 6.30am on 1st April last year.

The 50-year-old electrician said he had "no idea" but "seemingly" he had bought drink from a shop.

"You say seemingly," said the fiscal.

"I never bought any drink," replied Mr Morrison.

Mrs Morrison was also questioned about her whereabouts on 1st April but said she visited the shop "350 days a year" so could not possibly recall.

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend

Bookmark this

---