A SHOP that was banned from selling alcohol for three months after counterfeit Smirnoff vodka made a customer sick now faces closure for further offences.

Police want councillors to close down Pound Xtra in St Mary’s Road, Southampton, after premises supervisor Aklilu Alem, 26, was caught selling alcohol to an underaged girl during a sting operation. Mr Alem received a caution for selling alcohol to a 15-year-old girl last year.

On a visit to the store police officers also found CCTV was not being kept for 30 days as previously agreed, training records were “basic”

and a log of refused sales had not been properly kept.

In a request to councillors to revoke the shop’s licence police said Mr Alem “continues to break the law, putting children in danger” and is in breach of the shop’s licence conditions.

Councillors earlier this year suspended the shop’s licence for three months after a customer complained of vomiting and blurred vision after drinking vodka he bought from there. Officers also seized 72 packs of counterfeit Marlboro cigarettes. They said they could revoke Pound Xtra’s licence if further offences were committed.

The shop agreed to keep proper records in the future and challenge anyone looking under 25 who wanted to buy alcohol.

Mr Alem’s wife, Sara Woldemichael, of Regents Park Road, Shirley, who holds the shop’s licence, has been summoned to appear before a council licensing hearing tomorrow. The couple were unavailable for comment.