A tobacco retailer has been handed a suspended jail sentence, fined, and had his gantry ripped out by JTI, after he was found guilty of seven charges related to selling illicit tobacco.

Illicit cigarettes and tobacco, worth around £2,500 had been found at Chandrasegaram Mughaya’s N&N News in Desborough Road, High Wycombe, during a local authority raid on his store.

He pleaded guilty to all seven counts at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court last month and was given an eight-week jail sentence, reduced from 12 weeks and suspended for a year.

He was also ordered to pay £1,500 prosecution costs and a £150 victim surcharge.

JTI removed the store’s tobacco gantry earlier this month.

Charlie Cunningham-Reid, JTI’’s UK head of corporate affairs said: “Once again JTI has demonstrated its commitment to take action against retailers found to be selling illegal tobacco. 

“Our action, supporting those of law enforcement agencies, serves as a warning to any retailer tempted to sell illegal tobacco products. JTI calls on other category partners in the distribution chain to join us by withdrawing their support from any retailer who sells illegal tobacco.”

This is the second occasion that JTI has removed a gantry from a retailer in High Wycombe for illegal tobacco sales.

In December 2016 the company acted against Micklefield Superstore in Gayhurst Road.

Since the start of 2014 JTI has removed the gantry from 32 retailers found to have been selling illegal tobacco.