A Peel teenager has been fined £250 for buying alcohol for children.

Andrew Gerrard, of Rowan Avenue, admitted supplying alcohol to a person under 18 for consumption in a public place.

Prosecutor Richard Butters told the court that on February 1, Gerrard, aged 19, was with a group of youths which included two 15-year-olds and one 14-year-old.

He bought one large bottle of vodka, a half bottle of vodka, and two bottles of WKD from Mace convenience store and the group went to a bus stop where they began drinking.

They then got a bus to St John’s and were seen drinking at a container unit at St John’s Cricket Club.

Witnesses described the group as highly intoxicated and said that a 15-year-old girl was vomiting at one point.

Later in the evening the group were spoken to by police in relation to another matter.

It was then that the alcohol incident came to light.

Defence advocate Peter Taylor said that his client has no previous convictions.

The advocate said: ’Mr Gerrard gave a statement to the police in an unconnected matter.

Foolish

’He gave a voluntary statement giving evidence towards a more serious matter.

’Whilst there is an age difference between them they are people who have grown up together in the same area.

’He knows they drink and has seen them drinking at parties.

’But he was the one who foolishly provided the alcohol on the night in question.

’They were not intending to drink all the alcohol that evening.’

Mr Taylor went on to say that Gerrard was no longer socialising in the same group.

Magistrates chairman Ken Faragher said: ’It could have had a serious effect on the child.

’Fourteen and 15-year-olds are children.’

Gerrard was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £50.