A SKIPTON shop has been fined after selling fake cigarettes and tobacco as well as falsely labelled vodka.

Fifteen charges in total were brought against both Lewiatan Ltd, an off-licence in Sackville Street, and Shahram Sharifi, of the same address. The charges were dated February 12, 2020 and were brought to York Magistrates' Court by Trading Standards which had seized the goods.

Ten charges relate to counterfeit cigarettes and rolling tobacco, three charges of false labelling of Krakoff Vodka which falsely described the alcohol content, one charge of failing to comply with EU provision concerning food safety and hygiene and one charge of vodka being sold when appropriate labelling was absent.

Guilty pleas were obtained for all the charges on August 5.

Sharafi was ordered to pay a total of £5,601 which was made up of £218 for each of the 15 charges, a surcharge of £181 and costs of £2150.

Lewiatan Ltd was fined a total of £3,802 which was made up of £100 for each of the 15 charges, a surcharge of £150 and costs of £2,182.