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FM
Former Member

5-year-old U.K. girl left in tears after being fined $195 for lemonade stand

The girl was selling homemade lemonade to fans attending a dance festival when she was fined.

LONDON—A British man and his young daughter have gained international attention for being fined for selling lemonade.

Andre Spicer said his 5-year-old daughter was left in tears after local council officers fined her 150 pounds ($195) for selling lemonade without a license near their home in London.

The girl was selling homemade lemonade to fans attending the Lovebox dance festival when she was fined.

The four officers approached the girl and began speaking in technical legal terms, telling her that her lemonade stand infringed on local business rights.

Halfway through the interaction with the officers, Spicer said his daughter burst into tears and said “I’ve done a bad thing, daddy. I’ve done something wrong.”

“I think initially she was a bit shocked and sad,” Spicer said. “And then I suggested we try it again with a permit. And she said: ‘Oh, it’s a bit scary.’”

He hopes that his daughter will overcome the “heart-wrenching” experience and continue to pursue entrepreneurial ideas.

Spicer wrote an article about the incident for the Daily Telegraph that garnered hundreds of comments and shares online.

Local officials said the fine will be cancelled immediately. They have apologized to the family.

In a statement Friday, the council said it was “very sorry” about what happened and that its enforcement officers are expected to “show common sense, and to use their powers sensibly. This clearly did not happen.”

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Andre Spicer and his young daughter have gained international attention for being fined 150 pounds ($195) for selling lemonade without a license near their home in London.  (The Associated Press)  

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FM

5-year-old U.K. girl left in tears after being fined $195 for lemonade stand


The four officers approached the girl and began speaking in technical legal terms, telling her that her lemonade stand infringed on local business rights.

To a five year old child .... incompetence of the four enforcement officers.

FM

A warning would have been most appropriate, but the law is the law when big businesses are affected. The Britons may not be getting any tax on the little girl's lemonade stand. Limey dogs as Nehru would call them. 

FM
Prince posted:

A warning would have been most appropriate, but the law is the law when big businesses are affected. The Britons may not be getting any tax on the little girl's lemonade stand. Limey dogs as Nehru would call them. 

a 5 year old is not competent to understand or have knowledge of consequences or antiquated laws.

Mitwah
Prince posted:

A warning would have been most appropriate, but the law is the law when big businesses are affected.

I know. Perish the thought that some mega company negotiated sole rights to sell so a little girl ought to be traumatized.

In fact the UK like other countries, has a need to encourage those with initiative.  They seem more interested in a population with a sense of entitlement to "benefits".  Not working a day in their lives but screaming blue murder that they aren't getting what they "deserve".

FM
Mitwah posted:
Prince posted:

A warning would have been most appropriate, but the law is the law when big businesses are affected. The Britons may not be getting any tax on the little girl's lemonade stand. Limey dogs as Nehru would call them. 

a 5 year old is not competent to understand or have knowledge of consequences or antiquated laws.

Her father understands the law (now) and that's enough to get a permit or have his five years old child stop selling lemonade. 

FM
Prince posted:
Mitwah posted:
Prince posted:

A warning would have been most appropriate, but the law is the law when big businesses are affected. The Britons may not be getting any tax on the little girl's lemonade stand. Limey dogs as Nehru would call them. 

a 5 year old is not competent to understand or have knowledge of consequences or antiquated laws.

Her father understands the law (now) and that's enough to get a permit or have his five years old child stop selling lemonade. 

In the interim I bet that grown adults sold thousands of pounds of narcotics at the same venue.

FM
caribny posted:
Prince posted:
Mitwah posted:
Prince posted:

A warning would have been most appropriate, but the law is the law when big businesses are affected. The Britons may not be getting any tax on the little girl's lemonade stand. Limey dogs as Nehru would call them. 

a 5 year old is not competent to understand or have knowledge of consequences or antiquated laws.

Her tunderstands the law (now) and that's enough to get a permit or have his five years old child stop selling lemonade. 

In the interim I bet that grown adults sold thousands of pounds of narcotics at the same venue.

You are taking this discussion to new heights. I am done. 

FM

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