AN Ammanford woman has spoken of her distress at the way she was treated whilst in Tesco in the run-up to Christmas.

74-year-old Siwla Virago was shopping on Monday, December 18, in Tesco in Ammanford with her 27-year-old grandson and his 26-year-old partner.

Whilst in the store, Ms Virago went to purchase a bottle of red wine and some alcohol-free lager and/or Guinness as she was entertaining guests and some were driving.

When reaching the check out, the assistant asked to see the IDs of Ms Virago’s grandson and his partner. Her grandson provided his, but his partner did not have hers.

The checkout assistant then advised that they could not sell the alcohol to Ms Virago because of the lack of ID.

Another assistant also confirmed this and said to call another of the employees. When this employee arrived, she told Ms Virago that they could not buy the wine or the alcohol-free drinks.

Ms Virago told them that it was her – a 74-year-old woman – who was buying the drinks and that some were alcohol free but she was met with the response that without the one ID, the sale could not go ahead because there are trace amounts of alcohol in the alcohol-free products.

Ms Virago said that the incident 'made her feel like she was being accused of trying to buy alcohol for underaged people’ after she suggested leaving the store and returning on her own. The  assistant was said to have nodded her head towards Ms Virago’s grandson and his partner and claimed she was buying it for them.

Ms Virago said it ruined her Christmas. “I feel as if my credibility in our little town has been damaged.”

Ms Virago said: “Does this mean that all families that go food and drink shopping with a family member that looks underage and cannot produce their ID then all the drinks in their trolley and god forbid any alcohol based cakes, chocolate, brandy butter, jams and chutneys; the list is endless, will be confiscated at the checkout?”

The incident will act as a warning to people planning to buy alcohol products or just shopping alongside someone who is to ensure they have ID to avoid a similar situation.

A Tesco spokesperson referred the South Wales Guardian to its Think 25 policy on all age restricted products, like with most retailers, which is also in line with police and trading standards recommendations.

Tesco said that unless the cashier is confident the customer is over 25 they should ask for proof of age and will decline the sale if unable to verify a customer’s age.

Tesco – who did not provide a statement – also said that this will apply to ‘proxy sales’ where the purchaser could be buying the product for someone who cannot prove they are 18.