A mini-supermarket which was once caught selling alcohol to a ten-year-old child has failed in its attempts to secure a new licence.

DKSR in Whippendell Road was seeking permission from Watford Borough Council to sell alcohol in its store having been banned from doing so since 2013.

But following a two hour meeting of the council's sub-licensing committee on February 2, the application was refused.

Both the police and council's community safety co-ordinator had called for the council to turn DKSR's application down.

Watford sergeant Luke Mitchell said the shop has a "long negative history" with the police and council.

Owner Srithas Sundalingham first had his premises licence revoked in 2010 for "repeated breaches" including a child who was served alcohol. Sergeant Mitchell says alcohol was also being sold to drunk customers and outside of licensed hours.

Two attempts to reinstate the license in 2011 were blocked but in November 2012, the shop was given a "second chance" and a new licence. However, a review in March 2013 found alcohol was sold twice to children in December 2012 and prohibited alcohol had also been sold. DKSR subsequently surrendered its license.

Sergeant Mitchell and council community safety officer Liam Fitzgerald both told the committee this area of Whippendell Road had seen a "dramatic" reduction in street drinking ever since DKSR's licence was revoked.

At last week's meeting, the representative for Mr Sundalingham told the committee his client had "learnt his lesson" and explained how the four licensing objectives, which includes preventing crime and disorder, will be "robustly" met including regular training and a Challenge 25 policy.

But Sergeant Mitchell told the committee he had heard nothing from Mr Sundalingham and his representative during the meeting to change his mind and said there are "a lot of red flags".

He said: "I haven't been convinced by what has been said today, he (Mr Sundalingham) couldn’t even explain the four licensing objectives. I appreciate there may be a language barrier but these are absolute basics. I can’t see how we can have trust and confidence in this gentleman carrying out licensable activities."

The officer added having an alcohol licence is a "big responsibility" and said given the shop's history, he was not prepared to "risk" supporting the application.

After all of the representations were made, the committee of three councillors retired to make a decision on the licensing application.

A council spokesperson confirmed today the application was refused. A full report is expected to be published soon.