Firm fined over lager scam

Barnsley Council's Regulatory Services department brought the charges following an investigation between the council's trading standards officials and HMRC Customs officers.

They alleged that dates had been removed from 37,000 cans of Fosters lager and replaced with a fresh one 16 months ahead of the original.

Becsco Ltd and its managing director Scott Padgett were charged with two offences under the Food Labelling law at Barnsley Magistrates' Court.

A guilty plea was entered and magistrates imposed fines and costs of 11,713. In addition, the 37,000 cans of lager, which would have had a trade value of around 25,000, were forfeited and have since been crushed by Customs.

Coun Roy Miller said: "It is extremely important that we are not misled about the food and drink we consume. Food fraud like this will never be tolerated in Barnsley."