In December 2006, one of our regular customers who was unable to drive after a car accident, suddenly disappeared. He would send a taxi to our shop twice weekly to pick up 24 bottles of red wine. After not hearing from him for about a week, we phoned the taxi company , which offered to go round to his house for us but were unable to get a reply. They contacted the police who broke down his door and found him dead, in a pool of vomit. Apparently he had been dead for three or four days.

W e were distraught, especially after adding up exactly how much he used to drink .

We both feel partly responsible for his death even though we tried to cut his drinking down by refusing to deliver to him any more, only for him to find a taxi company willing to do the pick-up and delivery for him.

We both feel strongly about this problem and have no clue as to a solution. Apart from barring these types of customers what can you do? People who want to drink this much will always find a way.

Emma & Caz,

Wine Rack, Hook, Hants

Hants