TWO men have appeared in court charged with selling potentially lethal counterfeit vodka using an illegal drink delivery service.

Licensing officers became aware of the sale of illegal spirit made using industrial strength alcohol after it was advertised on Facebook.

They set up undercover test purchase operations and a bottles of the counterfeit Glen’s vodka was bought by a community support officer and a 16-year-old girl on two separate occasions.

The sting led to the arrest of Robbie Purdham and Ross Connell who appeared before Consett Magistrates’ Court today. (Tuesday, October 21)

John Garside, prosecuting, said: “Examination was carried out on the vodka. The vodka was not genuine, it was counterfeit.”

Purdham, 24, of William Street, South Moor, Stanley, pleaded guilty with selling alcohol to a 16-year-old girl, two charges of selling goods with packaging likely to be mistaken for a registered trademark and taking part in a licensable activity.

Connell, 32, of Palm Terrace, Tantobie Stanley, pleaded guilty to selling goods with packaging likely to be mistaken for a registered trademark, taking part in a licensable activity and producing a class B drug. The court was told he had a cannabis plant.

The Facebook group - R&R (Robbie & Ross) dial a drink... STANLEY AREA – has over 1,300 members and the charges relate to offences committed between August 21-31 this year.

After their arrest police seized a further four bottles of the vodka, up to 20 bottles of wine, 60 cans of lager, 48 bottles of beer and 48 cans of cider from a house in nearby South Moor.

Richard Haswell, who represented both men said: “What they were trying to do was to buy legitimate goods from Costco and sell them. “They had not got around to licensing their business. Someone approached them in the car park and said ‘would like to buy this vodka?’

“Like fools they did not test it.”

The case has been adjourned for the preparation of reports and the men will be sent to Durham Crown Court because magistrates decided their sentencing powers are insufficient.

They have been granted unconditional bail and will be dealt with on November 11.