A mum has slammed Tesco after they refused to sell her wine because her 17-year-old daughter was with her - forcing the supermarket to apologise for being 'over zealous'.
Catherine O'Callaghan, 47, claims the cashier waited until she had unloaded all her shopping at the check-out at the Halifax branch of Tesco before asking if daughter Niamh had ID, which she didn't.
The mother was so enraged that she abandoned the rest of her shopping because she couldn't buy the bottle of rosé.
The 'embarrassed' mum complained to customer services where she was allegedly told it was the cashier's 'first day', but that it was 'company policy' to ask for ID if people appeared under the age of 25.
Credit: Mercury Press
Catherine was so unhappy with the outcome that she went to Morrison's the next day to finish her shop - and has slammed Tesco over their 'silly' decision.
Tesco have since admitted it was not their intention to 'cause offence' and were sorry if their approach was 'over-zealous', but maintained their reasons were in line with the Think 25 policy.
Catherine, Halifax, Yorks, said: "I felt so embarrassed. I just left my shopping on the till and took my four bags for life with me.
"It's political correctness gone mad. That bottle of rosé was nearly the last item to be scanned and I had to abandon the whole shop.
"So, what are they saying, I can't buy alcohol just because I'm with a 17-year-old? It just doesn't make sense to ban parents just because they're with a child.
Credit: Mercury Press
"If that rule is to be taken seriously then it would affect how I shop because I wouldn't be able to bring my children if I wanted to get wine - it's so silly."
Catherine says she complained to customer services, who suggested she return and pay for her shop in the first instance.
She then claims Tesco called her the following day to offer an apology but says it was 'not good enough', adding that she wanted a complimentary bottle of wine in compensation.
Catherine said: "Everything was going fine. We were putting all the items through and my daughter was chatting with the cashier about her A-Levels and things.
"After the whole thing I complained to the assistant manager who asked me if she was 'new'.
"But then she just said, 'Well, it's policy to refuse to serve if they think that the alcohol is meant for someone else.'
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"I just think it's totally unfair. The checkout girl could have at least asked for a manager and used a bit of common sense.
"They offered me an apology but it just wasn't good enough. I had to do my shop the following day in Morrisons.
"I think they should change the rules. Otherwise as parents we'd never be able to buy alcohol with our children there.
"If my daughter was 'dressed up' and I was getting alcopops I'd understand it, but it was a bottle of rosé with a full shop.
"What next? Are parents who get medications with their children now going to be refused?"
A Tesco spokesperson said: "We take our responsibilities as a retailer of alcohol very seriously, so we have a strict Think 25 policy.
"Customers may be asked for ID if our colleagues believe there is a chance that a product may be consumed by someone who is under the legal age.
"It is never our intention to cause offence and we're sorry if we were a little over-zealous on this occasion."
Featured Image Credit: Mercury PressTopics: UK News, Wine, News, Tesco