A MOTHER-OF-THREE who owns an ice cream van used to sell illegal cigarettes and tobacco near a primary school has been fined nearly £2,000.

Julie Meale, 34, denied supplying her van with products which were non-UK duty paid and did not carry legally required pictures or health warnings on the packaging.

But Darlington magistrates issued a fine and 300 hours of unpaid work to Meale, of St Carileph Way, Bishop Auckland, whose van had travelled around the Copeland Road and parked near Oakley Cross Primary School, in West Auckland.

Trading Standards officers were sold counterfeit packets of Mayfair cigarettes from Meale’s employees, Andrew Allison, 47, of Teesdale Walk, Shildon, and his son Kyle Allison, 25, of Redworth Road, Shildon, when the van was parked outside the primary school in January 2015.

And a search of Meale's home found 4,200 Gold Classic cigarettes with a street value of £735 and 20kg of Turner's hand-rolling tobacco valued at about £3,200.

Meale maintained she was not supplying the ice cream van, but a Newton hearing held last week to decide the sentencing method, led magistrates to believe Meale was aware the illicit products were being sold by her business, Julie’s Ice Cream.

Prosecuting on behalf of Durham County Council, Catherine Hazell, said: “The ice cream van was close to schools so children could easily access the tobacco.

“The sale of cheap tobacco products undermines the nationwide effort to reduce smoking.”

And after a meeting with Meale, probation officer, Brenda Raine, said: “We discussed the issue of smoking around children and as mother of three young children herself, she understands the dangers of what smoking can do.”

Darlington Magistrates Court heard yesterday (Weds, January 13) that the case was unprecedented as the brands of cigarettes and tobacco found in Meale’s property are rarely seen by Trading Standards officers.

Over £100 worth of cigarettes and tobacco, carrying brands that cannot be legally bought in the UK, were found inside the van and text messages between drivers Andrew and Kyle Allison confirmed the products were being sold on their rounds.

The father and son both pleaded guilty to selling the counterfeit Mayfair cigarettes. Andrew Allison was handed 200 hours of unpaid work and Kyle Allison was fined £120.

Meale’s total fine, including costs, was £1,713.16 and her 300 hours of unpaid work must be completed within 12 months.