A MAN who hoped to make money by selling counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco has ended up more than £500 out of pocket.

William Pritchard, of Poplar Street, South Moor, near Stanley, County Durham, was found in possession of 2,580 illegal cigarettes and 180 50gram pouches of counterfeit hand rolling tobacco on March 12.

Durham County Council Trading Standards officers seized the goods after executing a search warrant on the 55-year-old’s home.

None of the packaging complied with regulations about health warnings and colour and the products were all confirmed as counterfeit by experts.

At Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court this week, Pritchard pleaded guilty to five charges relating to possession and supply of counterfeit goods.

The court heard the cigarettes, branded as Mayfair, were contained within 129 packets of 20, and were valued by Pritchard as £451. If sold legitimately, the cigarettes would have a total value of about £1,160. The hand-rolling tobacco, branded as Turner, was valued by Pritchard as £1,440 but would fetch about £3,200 if sold legitimately.

Pritchard claimed to have bought the products for financial reasons, and was able to afford them after winning the lottery twice. He also showed remorse.

He was sentenced to a six month community order, with five rehabilitation activity days, and ordered to pay costs of £531 and an £85 victim surcharge. An order was made for the forfeiture and destruction of the items.

Joanne Waller, head of environment, health and consumer protection at Durham County Council, said: "This sentencing shows the council and the courts take the sale of counterfeit tobacco products extremely seriously.

“Illegal tobacco has a serious impact on health, brings crime into our communities and makes it easier for young people to smoke. Cigarettes and tobacco being sold at reduced prices also seriously undermine the work of the stop smoking service.

"We are committed to cracking down on illegal tobacco and will continue to investigate anyone breaking the law.”

Anyone with information about the sale of illegal tobacco should contact the confidential reporting line on 0300-9990000 or online at keep-it-out.co.uk/