Business shut down following raid

Rosemarie Ann Burton, of Swan Close in Mead Vale, appeared at North Somerset Courthouse in St Georges last week following a raid on her home.

She pleaded guilty to two charges of selling Golden Virginia hand rolling tobacco that did not have the correct safety labelling, two charges of possession for supply of Cutters Choice hand rolling tobacco that did not have the correct safety labelling and failing to display a notice saying ‘It is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18’.

In March trading standards officers and police raided her property and seized a quantity of tobacco products together with mobile phones and computer equipment.

After forensic examination, evidence indicated that Burton had been selling tobacco products that had been purchased abroad and from a lorry driver friend, to numerous people in Weston.

Tobacco products totalling �20,387 were seized and trading standards officers estimated the actual retail value to be in excess of �41,000.

Burton was ordered to obey a curfew from 7pm to 7am and ordered to pay �2,000 towards legal costs.

NHS North Somerset praised trading standards for its continued efforts in tracking down unregulated cigarettes.

Healthy lifestyles programme manager Fiona Miles, said: “People who sell cheap smokes often target underage children to make an easy profit.

“This makes it too easy for our children to smoke and become addicted.

“Any measure that stops young people from starting smoking is to be applauded.”

Burton and her husband have also given written undertakings to North Somerset Council’s trading standards service, not to further breach certain legislation surrounding the sale and supply of tobacco products or they may face civil proceedings in addition to any criminal proceeding if they commit these offences again.

If you have any information about individuals selling illicit or counterfeit tobacco contact trading standards on 08454 040506 or email trading. standards@n-somerset.gov.uk