A COUPLE who used fake social media profiles to sell illegal cigarettes, have been given suspended jail sentences.

An investigation by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) found Kenneth and Victoria Kay, both of Whitehouse Crescent, Gateshead, used the aliases Penny Lane and Kieron Jones to advertise the sale of non-UK duty paid cigarettes on Facebook.

HMRC officers subsequently searched Victoria Kay’s car in August 2017 after she was stopped by Durham police. She was arrested at the scene after officers found 6,020 cigarettes and 10.3 kilos of hand-rolling tobacco in the boot.

Kenneth Kay was pulled over by Northumbria Police in Gateshead three months later for driving whilst disqualified. Police officers searched his vehicle and discovered 8,680 paid cigarettes and 16.2 kilos of hand-rolling tobacco.

The non-UK duty paid tobacco goods, which were identical to the brands posted on their Facebook posts and worth £9,534.70 in evaded duty, were seized by HMRC.

Mobile phone evidence also uncovered cigarette sales worth another £19,195.46 in unpaid duty.

The 40-year-olds both admitted excise fraud at Newcastle Crown Court on 20 May 2019.

Kenneth Kay was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years, and 300 hours unpaid work.

Victoria Kay was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years.

HMRC spokesperson said: “This was a rookie attempt make money illegally – evading duty which should been paid and used to fund our public services. They thought they could get away with it by using fake names online – but they were wrong.

“We will continue to pursue criminals like the Kenneth and Victoria Kay who think excise fraud is acceptable. Anyone with information about tax fraud should contact HMRC online call our Fraud Hotline on 0800 788 887.”