A SUPPLIER and a seller of counterfeit cigarettes were told to expect possible prison terms when they return to court to be sentenced in March.

Judge Christopher Prince gave the warning to David Hutchinson and Amanda Wen Hua Liu following their admissions to a variety of charges arising from the seizure of thousands of packets of supposedly leading brands of tobacco products.

It followed inquiries by Durham County Council into the sale of illicit cigarettes at a Chinese takeaway in Peterlee.

During the investigation test purchase officers bought various tobacco products at the premises, New Century Takeaway, in Fulwell Road, between March 25 and June 2, 2015.

The brands in question were sold purporting to be variously Richmond, Mayfair and Embassy Regal, which were all king size. They were found to be counterfeit, albeit bearing the apparently genuine trademarking of the brands in question.

Further inquiries followed which led to the seizure of about 87,000 other counterfeit cigarettes, mostly from a unit in Florence View, Shotton Colliery, but also from an address in Eden Lane, in nearby Peterlee, on June 3, 2015.

Following inquiries, charges were brought against Liu, Hutchinson, plus co-accused Michelle Carr and Lesley Emma Blair, also from Peterlee.

They all denied conspiracy to supply counterfeit cigarettes and the case was adjourned for trial, due to start today.

But, Liu, of Fulwell Road, Peterlee, later admitted seven counts of selling goods bearing a sign likely to be mistaken for a registered trade mark.

Her case was adjourned for sentencing following the outcome of the scheduled trial against her three co-accused.

But, following lengthy out-of-court discussions, on what was to have been the opening day of the trial, today, Richard Bennett, prosecuting, asked for three new charges, of having possession or control of goods for sale which might be mistaken for a registered trade mark, at both Florence View and Park House, Eden Lane, on June 3, 2015.

Hutchinson, of Eden Lane, admitted all three of the new charges.

Mr Bennett said the pleas were considered “acceptable” and on the remaining counts, of conspiracy to supply, against Blair, Carr and Liu, the prosecution would offer “no evidence”.

Judge Prince said, on that basis, 36-year-old Blair, and Carr, 40, were told they would not need to attend the next hearing, when formal not guilty verdicts will be recorded in their cases.

Bailing 58-year-old Hutchinson, and Liu, 42, to return for sentence on March 3, Judge Prince told them: “All sentencing options remain open to the court, including immediate sentences of imprisonment.”