Angry staff at a Newton Abbot shop where alcohol sales have been banned have claimed the authorities have made their boss a scapegoat. Clyde Mills, owner of the Solo convenience store in Bank Street, has had his drinks licence withdrawn for three months after alcohol was sold to a 13-year-old girl taking part in a Trading Standards operation. On a separate occasion, a 17-year-old boy was spotted leaving the shop with alcohol and police applied to have the drinks licence reviewed. It is the first business in the district to fall foul of new arrangements which give councils the power over licences but Mr Mills, 69, argued the offences were the result of inexperienced staff making mistakes. Mr Mills, who would have to re-apply for a licence, has been ordered by magistrates to pay £5,000 court costs after a hearing this week. 'It was human error and I think this penalty is vicious, particularly as Trading Standards had initially offered me help to get my house in order, an offer that was then withdrawn shortly before the hearing,' he said. He said the ban would cost him £1,000 a week in lost business, an amount which probably signalled the end of his business and the loss of 10 jobs in his Newton Abbot and Paignton stores. 'Since Asda opened my takings are already down from £12,000 to £8,000 a week and my wages bill alone is £1,400,' he said. 'With the £5,000 I have to pay in costs I'm really not sure if we can survive. I just feel so sorry for my staff but I think really we're looking at the end.' Shop assistant, Shirley Dove, 70, has worked for Mr Mills since 1983. She described the shop as her 'home from home' and the ban as 'heartbreaking'. She said she had heard of a similar case in Torbay in which the shop had only been cautioned and said of Mr Mills's situation: 'They've made him a scapegoat.' Another employee, Debbie Deane, has worked there for 14 years. She was 'numb with shock' and said the business was like a family. everyone had always done what they could to help it. Colleague of three years Sophie Donovan said she was 'gutted'. Insp Andy Dower, of Newton Abbot Police, maintained that the problem of alcohol misuse was 'seriously affecting' his ability to tackle issues such as anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and violence and that action was needed. 'It is extremely important that all licensees take their responsibilities extremely seriously,' he said. 'We won't hesitate to request further licence reviews in the future if we think it necessary.' Cllr Sandra Heath, chairman of licensing and appeals, said: 'Teignbridge Council takes it licensing duties seriously, and any breach of licensing law is unacceptable. We are very pleased that the court upheld our committee's decision in this matter.'