A FORMER jockey who sold on bootleg alcohol and tobacco was jailed for nine months yesterday.

The tobacco and alcohol that Peter Ennis bought from a man he met at a market over two years starting in July 1997 was liable to have almost £24,000 in duty paid on it.

Yesterday Ennis, 53, of Westwood Terrace, Chilton, Ferryhill, appeared before Teesside Crown Court and admitted being involved in evading the duty on the tobacco and alcohol and keeping alcohol and tobacco on which duty had not been paid.

Judge Leslie Spittle jailed Ennis for nine months, and told him: "Shops and genuine retail outlets who are working within the law can very often be put out of business because of the activities of people like you."

Jane Waugh, prosecuting, said Customs and Excise officers went to Ennis' home in July last year and found bottles of whisky, vodka and brandy, as well as tobacco and cigarettes.

Ennis claimed he had bought the goods found at his home from a man he met at a market and said he had been selling for two years.

Ennis told officers he was paying about £150 each Wednesday for cigarettes and spirits which he would then sell on, said Miss Waugh.

Peter Schofield, for Ennis, said he could not be certain about the quantities he bought and therefore could not be certain about the figure of duty put forward by Customs and Excise.

He supplied the goods to family and friends.

Ennis had had a 16-year career as a jump jockey and in 1975 he won the Scottish Grand National on Young Ashleaf.

Mr Schofield said Ennis was ashamed and had not told his family about his court appearance