Slap on the wrist after third illicit prosecution

A Preston retailer has been handed 200 hours of unpaid work, a £250 fine in costs and a surcharge after receiving his third prosecution for illicit trading.

Qadeer Akhter of Megasaver had hidden blackmarket cigarettes and tobacco pouches inside phone accessories boxes in the store, but his ruse was spotted by trading standards officers.

Prosecuting for Lancashire trading standards, Nick McNamara said: “When interviewed he made a full and frank admission that the packs were his and that he had hidden them himself, intending to sell them.”

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