An East Neuk convenience store has been stripped of its alcohol licence after the boss sexually assaulted a 15-year-old customer.
Rajiv Sharma, of A&A Stores in Anstruther, was caught on his own CCTV camera as he assaulted the teenage girl last June.
And he has since been convicted in court and added to the sex offenders’ register.
Fife Licensing Board heard police who visited the High Street East store also found an eight-inch machete under the counter.
The board this week revoked the shop’s licence to sell alcohol in the interests of public safety.
The store’s owners were ordered to remove all drink from its shelves immediately.
Victim was distressed and crying
Police asked the licensing board to review the premises’ alcohol licence.
Concerns about the Anstruther shop’s management were also raised by Fife Council’s own licensing standards officers.
Sharma, of Woodside Avenue in Dundee, was convicted of sexual assault following trial in December.
Dundee Sheriff Court heard the 49-year-old reached out and touched his victim’s abdomen as she walked up an aisle in the shop.
The girl was said to be distressed and crying when she arrived home.
Sheriff Francis Gill told Sharma: “Although it happened over a short period, it is clear this incident caused a great deal of distress to the complainer.
“I am concerned about your understanding of appropriate boundaries between adults and young people such as in this case.”
The accused was added to the register for 18 months and ordered to attend the Tay Project course for sex offenders.
Not fit to hold a licence
Police also visited A&A Stores following drugs allegations.
While they did not find drugs on the premises, a machete found under the counter was confiscated.
Sharma claimed it had belonged to the shop’s previous owner.
Meanwhile, licensing officers found alcohol on sale beside sweets despite two previous reminders to move it.
Licensing board convener Tom Adams said members were unanimous in their decision to revoke the licence.
“We had no hesitation,” he said. “No ifs, no buts, they are not fit to have a licence.”
Grounds given for the decision were preventing crime and disorder, securing public safety and protecting children and young people from harm.
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