Charges laid after teens hospitalised

Ben Butterfield.
Ben Butterfield.
A 64-year-old  South Dunedin man  is facing charges of supplying minors with alcohol after a trio of young teens needed hospital treatment for alcohol
poisoning.

Dunedin police raided the man’s   property yesterday.

"A significant amount of home-brewed spirits and beer was recovered during the search warrant, as well as evidence of alcohol being supplied to minors," Senior Sergeant Ben Butterfield said.

The man was arrested and would appear in the Dunedin District Court in relation to supplying  alcohol to minors.

"We are still investigating exactly what happened and exactly what charges he’ll face," Snr Sgt Butterfield said.

The matter came to police attention after three teens were admitted to Dunedin Hospital this week.

The teenagers were suffering the effects of "gross intoxication", but had since been discharged from hospital.

The teens had been admitted  in separate incidents, and were not related to the 64-year-old or known to him.

He was selling the alcohol for profit, Snr Sgt Butterfield said.

"The supply of home-brewed spirits to young people is particularly troubling, as there is no way to gauge the strength or quality of the product," he said.

"We are lucky we are not dealing with a real tragedy as a result of this  person’s actions.

"Police are committed to reducing the harm that alcohol causes in our community and we hope that this will send a clear message that police will not tolerate behaviour of this kind.

"Anyone who chooses to profit from illegal sales of alcohol will face consequences for their actions."

It was not known how many others might have been sold the homemade alcohol. 

"We would be interested in hearing from anyone who may have purchased alcohol and any parents who may have information," he said.

Police had not ruled out laying further charges.

timothy.brown@odt.co.nz

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