A FAMILY man became embroiled in the supply of counterfeit and illicit cigarettes to pay back debts to a criminal gang, a court heard.

More than 11,000 illicit cigarettes were found at the home of Andrew Holmes in Webb Close, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, and his co-accused June Allen’s house in Arthur Street, Chilton, last October.

Police and Durham County Council trading standards officers also seized a small black book containing a list of sales, prices and buyer initials, which suggested Holmes was making up to £30,000 a week.

Today (Tuesday, August 11), Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court heard the part-time debt collector denied the book was his, but could not remember the name of the man it belonged to.

He was also unable to identify the gang he claimed forced him to supply and sell the cigarettes to settle debts.

Prosecuting, Gill Proud explained how illicit cigarettes are genuine but fail to display health warnings, while counterfeit cigarettes are fake and produced without the manufacturer’s permission.

She described how, prior to the raid, police carried out a successful test purchase operations at Allen’s home on September 23. They were initially told the 65-year-old had sold out but a delivery was expected at 3.30pm.

“The officers continued to watch the property and Mr Holmes arrives carrying pouches of Turner’s rolling tobacco into the address,” said Mrs Proud. “He also has a sleeve of Mayfair cigarettes under his jacket.”

The Mayfair cigarettes were found to be counterfeit.

Allen was fined a total of £126 for her part in the operation at Darlington Magistrates’ Court in June.

Holmes, who has no previous convictions, admitted selling goods with signs and packaging likely to be mistaken for a registered trademark to Allen on September 23.

He also admitted four charges of supplying goods prohibited by safety regulations.

In interview, Holmes said he had been told the cigarettes were “alright.”

Stephen Andrews, mitigating, said his client was a family man who carried out the offences through fear.

“He has been dragged into the situation as a result of money due to other people involved further up the chain,” said Mr Andrews. “He was relieved when he got caught as it meant it could come to an end.”

Holmes received a 12-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months with probation supervision.

He was also ordered to pay £2,000 towards investigation costs and an £80 victim surcharge.