A restaurant owner has lost his appeal after being found guilty of substituting branded vodka and gin with inferior brands.

Wei Quan Huang, owner of the Good Luck Chinese Restaurant, in Yarm Lane, Stockton, was caught in February last year, during a routine inspection by Stockton Borough Council's trading standards services.

At his appeal at Teesside Crown Court, Huang was ordered to pay £500 for each of the two offences, £3,000 in costs and a further £1,000 for the Crown Court hearing.

Huang denied the charges at Teesside Magistrates Court earlier this year, saying the spirits had been moved to the bar area following a clean-up, but was convicted.

He maintained the spirits were not for sale to customers, despite the bottles being located behind the bar with optics attached.

He lodged an appeal, stating his conviction was against the weight of the evidence and the sentence was excessively harsh.

David Kitching, the borough council's trading standards and licensing manager, said: "I hope the fine imposed will act as a deterrent to others who may be tempted to copy this practice to make a quick profit.

"The practice of substitution of spirits puts reputable traders at a trading disadvantage and is a clear case of consumer fraud."

Mr Kitching added: "The public must have confidence the food and drink they are served is the genuine article."