A newsagent has been caught selling cigarettes to children in an under-cover operation to crack down on underage sales.

Peter Capone, who runs The Railway Kiosk at Wallington station, admitted selling a packet of 10 Benson and Hedges cigarettes to a 16-year-old girl, who was accompanied by a 15-year-old boy.

Magistrates heard he was caught when trading standards officers from Sutton Council teamed up with the child volunteers to monitor the sale of age restricted goods to under-18s.

The court were told that Mr Capone sold the cigarettes without questioning the children’s age or asking for any identification.

Councillor Simon Wales, Sutton Council’s executive member for communities, transport and voluntary sector, said: "We are determined to do everything possible to protect the health and safety of our young people and will prosecute retailers who disregard the law.

“The court has handed down a significant fine which hopefully sends out a clear message to all tobacco retailers that the illegal sale of cigarettes to children will not be tolerated.”

Mr Capone was fined £233 and ordered to pay £350 costs to Sutton Council’s business regulation service after pleading guilty to an offence under the Children and Young Persons Act 1991