A WINSFORD corner shop worker who claims he’s being unfairly targeted by police will appear before magistrates next month after allegedly ignoring a police order to rid the shop of alcohol.

Mani Sharif, 25, is also accused of having drugs on the premises when officers from Winsford Neighbourhood Policing Unit searched Olivers, on the corner of Siddorn Street and High Street, on Monday.

Olivers had its licence to sell alcohol revoked last week after Mr Sharif’s brother and shop owner Mohamed Rizwan decided not to apply to transfer it from previous proprietor Neil Burke.

Police say they warned Mr Sharif to clear the shelves on alcohol on Friday but he allegedly failed to comply.

He has been charged with an offence under the Licensing Act 2003, as well as possession of cannabis.

The brothers claim they are unfairly targeted by the police. “We could get an alcohol licence today if we wanted to,” said Mr Rizwan.

“But with the amount of grief we’re getting from police, it’s not worth it.” He says he’s lodged an official complaint over the behaviour of one of the police officers involved.

Mr Sharif, who is scheduled to appear at Vale Royal Magistrates Court on December 4, added: “The police are always round here harassing us. We’re getting accused of things we haven’t done.

“If the police are so interested in the shop, why don’t they buy it?”