A shopkeeper in Durham has narrowly avoided jail time after receiving a suspended sentence for selling illegal vape products. Hardy Hassan, owner of the now-closed store, received a suspended sentence and a £1,000 fine. Officers from the community protection special investigations team executed a warrant of entry after the business failed two test purchases operations.
Vapes on sale at the store reportedly were of a size not permitted by law, but after returning to the store for a second check-up, officers found illegal cigarettes and issued the warrant.
Hassan pleaded guilty to selling nicotine containing liquid within a disposable electronic cigarette in a volume exceeding 2ml, selling or distributing cigarettes and tobacco products bearing a sign identical to, or likely to be mistaken for, a registered trademark, supplying tobacco products which contravened packaging requirements and supplying tobacco products which contravened health warning requirements.
The 25-year-old also claimed ignorance of the products’ origins and was sentenced to a total of six months in custody, suspended for a year. He was also ordered to pay costs of £1,010.10 and a £154 victim surcharge.
Gary Carr, from Durham council, said: “The sale of illegal tobacco is a serious crime that causes significant harm to our communities. Not only does it have an adverse impact on the sales of law-abiding retailers, it can attract other forms of criminality into local neighbourhoods.
“It also makes it easier for children to smoke due to the lower prices charged, and robs the public purse of tax revenues that support vital services.”
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