Woman couldn't buy Asda alcohol because teen was with her

She was doing a small shop on Monday evening, tired after a mainland hospital appointment, when a member of staff came over to the self-service checkout and asked how old the daughter was.

The woman explained she was the one doing the shopping, not her daughter, but she was told she couldn't continue with her purchase.

She had to leave her entire shop, including clothes, crisps, one bottle of wine and some beer.

She said she felt victimised, because others around her were clearly shopping with their children, including the woman behind her in the queue, who was also buying beer and had her daughter with her.

An Asda spokesperson said there was no policy that people with children can't buy alcohol, however, they explained: “We operate a Challenge 25 policy in all of our stores and colleagues can apply this if they think alcohol may be passed to someone underage.

"We apologise to our customers for any inconvenience caused and appreciate their understanding.”

The customer, who did not wish to be named, said: "I've been shopping in Asda since it opened — it's my local shop.

"My kids always come with me. They help me pack, scan the items, and carry it, and have done for years.

"But this time they said my daughter had to be over 18 for me to buy alcohol. At first I thought the man was joking, then I just stared in disbelief. I was so taken aback.

"I went to take the alcohol out and they said I couldn't have any of it. I saw another supervisor and a store manager and said I wasn't happy with the way I was being treated.

"I think I was being victimised somehow, as no one else was being targeted.

"I went to Morrisons and bought the same food and alcohol items with no problems whatsoever, so I will stick with them in the future.

"I was dumbfounded by my treatment at Asda and want to make Islanders aware of what might happen when they try to buy alcohol in the presence of their children — as I'm sure a lot of shoppers do."