A teen tragically lost his life in a drink-driving accident after being served lager at a pub despite being underage. Anthony Wiazcek, the pub landlord, knowingly provided five pints of alcohol to Hector Eccles, 16, who later crashed his quad bike, resulting in his death. Wiazcek was found guilty of selling alcohol to a minor and was fined £660, with his alcohol license suspended for three months.
During the trial at Burnley Magistrates’ Court, it was revealed that Wiazcek had a long-standing relationship with Hector and was aware of his age. Despite this knowledge, Wiazcek served him alcohol at the Roggerham Gate pub in Lancashire. Another 17-year-old on the bike with Hector sustained minor injuries.
Hector’s mother, Wendy Eccles, expressed the profound impact of her son’s tragic death, stating that their lives have been shattered. She described the pain of missing out on Hector’s milestones and the constant grief and heartache she experiences daily. The family struggles to cope with the loss of a promising young life and the void left behind.
Steve Dundon, Licensing Sergeant for the area, emphasized the importance of responsible alcohol sales and the serious consequences of failing to adhere to regulations. He stressed the need for continued enforcement to ensure compliance with alcohol laws and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
