A supermarket which sold booze to underage customers has won its licence back - despite police claiming its application was a scam.

Munawar Malik, of Hampton Supermarket Premier, in Percy Road, was banned from selling alcohol in December last year after undercover police cadets bought drink at the shop in two test purchase operations.

But his brother Malik Zafar Iqbal applied to Richmond Council on Wednesday, February 29, for the store’s licence back.

PC John McGann, a licensing officer for Richmond police, wrote to the authority’s sub-licensing committee claiming Mr Iqbal’s request was “a front by his brother in order to obtain a new licence when the real person in charge will be Mr Munawar Malik”.

The meeting heard the area had been plagued by groups of intimidating youths drinking and loitering outside the shop.

Solicitor David Dadds, representing Mr Iqbal, insisted Mr Malik would never enter the store again.

He told the committee: “I don’t believe that’s necessary but it’s just in case you want to make sure it’s not a scam.”

He said Mr Iqbal was responsible, has no previous convictions and already has an alcohol licence for another shop in Richmond.