TRADING standards officers hope a hefty fine for a convenience store owner selling illicit cigarettes will serve as a warning to other traders.
It follows the conviction of a Durham businessman for selling counterfeit and illegally imported cigarettes.
Durham magistrates heard that the prosecution arose after an operation headed by the trading standards service.
Michael Boyd, trading at Everyday Supermarket, in South Moor, Stanley, and Happy Shopper, in nearby Dipton, admitted selling and being in possession of counterfeit cigarettes. He also pleaded guilty to possession of cigarettes not bearing the appropriate health warnings, and was fined a total of £2,460.
Peter Fleming, assistant head of trading standards in the county, said: "The heavy penalty imposed sends a clear message to people."
Deputy county council leader Don Ross said: "Selling counterfeit cigarettes evades duty, provides unfair competition to law-abiding retailers and can ultimately threaten people's jobs."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article