A SHOPKEEPER has been given a community order and told to pay £1,700 costs for possessing counterfeit cigarettes.

Mohammed Khalid, 62, of Killinghall Road, Bradford was prosecuted for possessing with intent to supply 10,720 illicit cigarettes and 3.3kgs of illicit hand rolling tobacco.

Khalid, who was involved in the running of the 2001 Video Library, Killinghall Road, denied 17 offences but was convicted after a trial at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates' Court.

The shop had sold a 50g pouch of Golden Virginia Hand Rolling Tobacco for £3.50, far lower than the recommended retail price.

The product did not bear any of the statutory health warnings, which is an offence, and was suspected of being counterfeit.

Trading standards inspectors also found foreign labelled tobacco products. Some of the popular brands like Regal Kingsize, Golden Virginia, Amber Leaf and Mayfair were later confirmed as counterfeit.

Khalid pleaded not guilty on the basis that he did not own the business and that he was taking instructions from his nephew during the time his brother, the business owner, was out of the country.

Magistrates were satisfied that Khalid had been looking after his brother’s shop for several months before and after the offences took place.

Khalid was ordered to pay full costs of £1,743 plus a £60 victim surcharge and to complete a 60 hour community order within 12 months.