A County Durham woman has been ordered to pay over £1,000 after counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco were found in her shop.
Durham County Council’s Trading Standards team took legal action against Jennifer Spensley, of Cheesmond Avenue, Bishop Auckland, after officers inspected News and Homeware Convenience Store in St Helen Auckland.
Investigators found a number of what appeared to be Kent, Richmond, JPS, and Lambert & Butler cigarettes, and Turner tobacco behind the counter and in the shop’s store room.
Read more Tragedy as woman found dead inside Durham property
All of the products lacked the standardised packaging and health warnings and, following a trademark inspection, the Richmond, JPS and Lambert & Butler cigarettes were found to be counterfeit. In total, officers found 6,260 illicit cigarettes and 350 grams of illicit hand rolling tobacco.
Trading Standards officers also noticed the shop was not displaying the legislated tobacco warning notice, which declares: ‘It is an offence to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18.’
During an interview, Spensley admitted selling the illicit products and confirmed she had purchased them knowing they were illegal.
The 35-year-old appeared at Peterlee Magistrates Court and pleaded guilty to selling illicit cigarettes and tobacco from her shop premises. She was ordered to pay a fine of £200, a victim surcharge of £34 and £850 costs - totalling £1,084.
Owen Cleugh, Durham County Council’s public protection manager, said: “Selling illegal tobacco affects communities on many levels. All tobacco is harmful as it can compromise the health of the public and should be sold with the required warnings. Cheap and illegal tobacco makes it easier for children to get hold of the products and can undermine efforts of stop smoking services.
“This case is an example of how our Trading Standards team is committed to dealing with illicit tobacco at all levels of the supply chain, and that we will take action against those who are found to be trading illegally.”
Read next
Jack Woodley murder: Ten teenagers jailed for 124 years after brutal gang attack
Man charged with manslaughter of Noel Reynolds who died after 'one punch attack' in North Shields
Inside Newcastle United's long-term vision as Eddie Howe talks up winning trophies at St James' Park
Teacher banned from pruning her own 72ft tree despite fears it could crush her Darlington home
