A BARNSLEY resident who admitted selling illegal tobacco products in a town centre pub has been prosecuted following a council investigation.
Kevin Denton Fisher, of Day Street, Barnsley was found to be selling illegal tobacco products from Chennells, on Wellington Street, in May last year.
His activities initially came to the attention of South Yorkshire Police, who seized the illegal goods and passed them onto the council’s Trading Standards team.
In February, the 67-year-old appeared at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court to answer multiple offences relating to the supply and sale of illegal tobacco products.
The prosecution claimed he had purchased the products on Facebook before selling them at the pub, while the defence argued that they were purchased while on holiday and being sold to friends and fellow smokers.
The seized products did not comply with UK packaging regulations, relating to their colour and shade, and had inadequate health warnings.
He was given a three-year conditional discharge last week - meaning he could be re-sentenced and face further penalties if he commits any further offence during that period - and was also ordered to pay £776.
Coun Wendy Cain, cabinet spokesperson for public health and communities, said: “Our teams are committed to tackling and preventing the sale of illegal tobacco in Barnsley, protecting the health and safety of our communities.
“While all tobacco poses significant health risks, these unregulated products can contain higher levels of harmful substances, meaning they could be even more dangerous to people’s health.
“This result is a fantastic example of how we will take action against anyone selling illegal tobacco in our borough and putting our communities at risk.
“I’d like to thank our regulatory services and legal services teams as well as South Yorkshire Police for their dedication to keeping our communities safe and making this prosecution possible.”
It’s the latest illegal tobacco-related conviction secured by the local authority after two men - Omid Swatiwal and Ahmed Mohammed Amin - received suspended jail terms last year for selling products in the town centre and Goldthorpe respectively.
Anna Hartley, executive director for public health and communities, said: “All tobacco poses a significant health risk so it’s vital that products like e-cigarettes meet legal requirements, come with the right safety information and are properly labelled.
“Ignorance is no excuse and this case shows that we will take action where required.
“We’re fully committed to cutting down the availability and preventing the sales of illegal tobacco in Barnsley.
“This is another case which shows that we will take action against those who continue to sell it and put people in our communities at risk.
“The unregulated products sold as part of the illicit tobacco trade may contain higher levels of toxins and unknown substances, which can be even more dangerous and harmful to people’s health.
“Trade in illicit tobacco damages legitimate businesses, undermines public health and facilitates the supply of tobacco to young people.
“We must remain vigilant in our efforts to combat the illegal tobacco trade, protecting our communities from both the criminal elements involved and the potential health hazards posed by these unregulated products.
“I’d like to thank our regulatory services and legal services teams for their assistance in this prosecution.”
