A BUSINESSMAN who sold vodka made with industrial strength alcohol to a pub owner could be facing jail after being convicted of supplying the counterfeit drink.

Ranjit Singh denied eight charges, including failing to comply with EU food safety laws, false labelling, false trademarks and engaging in unfair commercial practices, when he appeared before Peterlee Magistrates today (Monday, May 9).

But Sonny Gill, who previously admitted selling spirits with the same chemical make up as screen wash, told the court today it was long-time family friend Singh who had supplied him.

The case arose after police and trading standards officers raided Gill’s premises in Consett, seizing a total of 329 bottles of illicit liquor on November 8, 2014.

The court was told 148 bottles of Kommissar vodka were recovered from the Coach and Horses pub and 174 bottles from Chaplains, along with seven bottles of Crown vodka.

Gill, who has since sold the premises, was ordered to pay £12,000 in fines and costs after admitting similar charges, on the basis of neglect.

He initially told investigators he had bought the alcohol from Nisa, but when interviewed under caution in March last year, he named Singh as his supplier.

Giving evidence, Mr Gill said he had nothing to gain by naming Singh - a family friend who had known his father for more than 20 years.

He said: “I was contacted by him (while I was out of the country) about some alcohol at a discount rate to the mutual benefit of both of us.

“I thought that it was legitimate that is why it was ordered – otherwise I wouldn’t have.”

He said following the raid he had contact Singh and told him the vodka was counterfeit.

“He denied it was illegal and demanded that I pay for the product I ordered. When I refused he threatened that he would get the payment one way or the other".

Singh denied having anything to do with the sale or the illicit drink.

Returning a guilty verdict, chairman of the bench Gordon Heslop said he found Gill a “credible and reliable witness”, while Singh had been evasive and had not co-operated with trading standards officers.

Requesting reports, Mr Heslop said he would not rule out any sentencing options, including custody.

Singh, 58, of Mullen Road, Wallsend, was ordered to court on June 2 for sentencing.