Part 7Offences

Children and alcohol

150Consumption of alcohol by children

1

An individual aged under 18 commits an offence if he knowingly consumes alcohol on relevant premises.

2

A person to whom subsection (3) applies commits an offence if he knowingly allows the consumption of alcohol on relevant premises by an individual aged under 18.

3

This subsection applies—

a

to a person who works at the premises in a capacity, whether paid or unpaid, which authorises him to prevent the consumption, and

b

where the alcohol was supplied by a club to or to the order of a member of the club, to any member or officer of the club who is present at the premises at the time of the consumption in a capacity which enables him to prevent it.

4

Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply where—

a

the individual is aged 16 or 17,

b

the alcohol is beer, wine or cider,

c

its consumption is at a table meal on relevant premises, and

d

the individual is accompanied at the meal by an individual aged 18 or over.

5

A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction—

a

in the case of an offence under subsection (1), to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale, and

b

in the case of an offence under subsection (2), to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.