Barrow shop sells condoms to 10-year-old boy
Last updated at 16:58, Tuesday, 19 February 2013
A MOTHER-OF-TWO has been left fuming after her young son was sold two packets of condoms.
Emma Opie sent her 10-year-old son Celton Thomson to buy some sweets with his pocket money while they were shopping in Barrow.
Celton then went into the Bodycare store, in Dalton Road, Barrow, and bought two packets, containing 20 condoms.
When Miss Opie met her son 10 minutes later, she was staggered to find the youngster had spent his pocket money on condoms, rather than confectionary.
Celton bought the contraceptives for less than £2 and when challenged, staff told his mum they thought he might be using them as “water bombs”.
Miss Opie, of Cross Street, Barrow, said: “I was absolutely mortified. Who would sell a 10-year-old child two packets of condoms?
“I went into other shops and asked if they would sell condoms to a 10-year-old and they said they wouldn’t.”
Under UK law there is no age restriction on the sale of condoms.
Miss Opie said she grounded her son after he splurged his pocket money on the condoms and has been left fuming that staff would consider selling such items to a boy six years under the age of consent.
She added: “I don’t think anyone should be selling condoms to kids this age. He’s just turned 10, it’s not as if he looks old enough.”
A spokeswoman for Bodycare said staff would not make “moral judgment” when selling condoms.
The spokeswoman said: “As a leading toiletries and beauty specialist retailer, Bodycare is committed to providing a full range of products to its customers within the confines of the law.
“There are currently no age restrictions on the sale of condoms and as a retailer, we do not feel it is appropriate for us to place moral judgment on the sale of contraceptives.”
A spokeswoman for sexual health charity FPA said: “Young people need to get confident about using and buying condoms if they are going to use them when they are older.”
But Deacon Nick Donnelly, of St Mary’s Catholic Church, in Duke Street, Barrow, was horrified to hear of the incident. He said: “It’s inappropriate to say ‘we don’t exercise moral judgment’ – there might be no law about it but moral behaviour is not just governed by the law of the land.
“Is this the sexualisation of young children? It’s a big concern.
“He should be thinking about buying marbles or accessories for his Action Man – not condoms.
“Relationship education should be appropriate to the age group.”
First published at 16:46, Tuesday, 19 February 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
My point being it's against facebook policy to allow a child under 13 an account. It is illegal for them to collect data on a minor. So you have obviously lied when registering, about your son's date of birth. If he or any other underage child is reported to facebook, the account will be terminated.
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agree with Most comments, also it is illegal to have a facebook account until you are 13, typical blame everyone else but youself parent, Most children have them. Mine don't and they are 13 & 12. A good adage is if I told you to jump in a fire would you. Don't let your children do what there mates are doing, because Most are not. Well the children brought up and not dragged up. I would be more mortified than angry if my son Bought condoms and question myself and child first!
Posted by Blame the parents on 20 February 2013 at 21:26