A Keighley pub was fined £1,200 and ordered to pay £1,008 costs for serving alcohol to a 15-year-old boy, West Yorkshire Trading Standards has revealed.

A spokesman for the organisation said a case was heard against the Victoria Hotel in Cavendish Street at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates’ Court last Tuesday.

He said this related to a sale of alcohol to an underage child on February 25. The Victoria is owned by a company called Ryanbianca Ltd.

The spokesman added: “Naresh Patel, the designated premises supervisor, premises licence holder and director of Ryanbianca Ltd, did not attend court; however the case was heard in his absence.

“The premises was targeted due to concerns underage children were being sold alcohol. A joint test purchase was carried out by West Yorkshire Trading Standards and West Yorkshire Police using two underage test purchasers.

“A sale was made of a bottle of Heineken lager five per cent volume to a 15-year-old boy. Mr Patel was not present at the time of the sale. At this time, the bar attendant had refused to serve one of the test purchasers, however he continued to serve the other without asking for their ID.

“Magistrates ordered Ryanbianca Ltd to pay a fine of £1,200, costs of £1,008 and a £15 victim surcharge.”

The spokesman added: “This was not the first time there had been a sale of alcohol made to an underage child whilst under the supervision of Mr Patel and Ryanbianca Ltd.

“In December 2011, a sale of alcohol was made to a 15-year-old female test purchaser. Following this, a letter had been sent to Mr Patel to make him aware of this, and warning him a further test purchase would be carried out. Despite this, a further sale was still made.”

Graham Hebblethwaite, West Yorkshire's chief trading standards officer, said: “We’ve worked hard to reduce the number of underage sales of alcohol to minors throughout West Yorkshire.

“We’ll continue to take legal action against the minority of traders who run premises where children can purchase alcohol.”

The Victoria Hotel declined to comment when approached by the Keighley News.