Key Points:
·Murray Baird, owner of Invercargill's Rugby Park Foodcentre, fined for not requesting ID from underage buyers during controlled operations.
·Murray Baird has a extensive history of fines, including for environmental contamination and tenancy bond breaches.
·For his age and that he was about to sell his business so the risk of him being back before the court on charges was low.
2Firsts, September 10th - according to the press, Murray Baird, the owner of New Zealand's Invercargill’s Rugby Park Foodcentre, has been fined $8,000 (approx. $4,750 USD) for selling tobacco and vape products to underage buyers on six separate occasions. His lawyer, Jono Ross, stated that the 76-year-old is in poor health and is currently selling the business to retire after a 60-year career. Ross acknowledged that while Baird often asked for ID, his approach could be “rough and ready.”
Baird has a history of legal issues, including a NZ$65,000 (approx. $39,000 USD) fine for diesel contamination, a NZ$38,000 (approx. $23,000 USD) penalty for failing to lodge tenant bonds, over NZ$11,000 (approx. $6,600 USD) in damages for renting unsafe housing, and earlier fines for unlicensed sales and firearm possession.
The recent charges followed controlled operations where Baird sold products to minors without requesting ID, despite previous warnings. His lawyer argued that some buyers appeared older due to their height, and profits were minimal. The judge acknowledged Baird’s age and retirement plans but dismissed the defense regarding appearance.
