Shopkeeper with haul of 13,000 counterfeit cigarettes and 7kg dodgy tobacco spared immediate stint behind bars

Mohammad Abraham, owner of Faraz Supermarket on Cannock Road, Wolverhampton, was told he could have put his customers at risk as he was sentenced at the city's magistrates court.

The court heard that two anonymous calls sparked Trading Standards to launch an investigation into the supermarket, owned and run by the 42-year-old.

Solicitor Robert Marshall, representing Wolverhampton City Council, said: "Trading Standards received calls alleging it was selling counterfeit tobacco, and also that it was being sold to children.

"As a result, an inspection took place on April 28 last year.

"West Midlands Police officers with the assistance of a tobacco search dog, HMRC officers and a representative from Imperial Tobacco went to the supermarket, where they discovered 920 packets of cigarettes and 4.7 kilograms of rolling tobacco that appeared to be counterfeit.

"A traders notice was issued to the owner."

Trading Standards again inspected the shop on August 29, 2014, with police officers a tobacco search dog and staff from HMRC and Imperial Tobacco.

Mr Marshall added: "Mr Abraham was present and confessed he was the sole owner of the shop.

"Around 2.2kg of rolling tobacco was found as well as 12,678 cigarettes.

"It was confirmed by police that the cigarettes were either counterfeit or were manufactured for a non-UK market."

On September 23 last year, a 50g packet of Amber Leaf was sold by Abraham to a covert Trading Standards officer investigating the store, who found the packet to be counterfeit, and on April 2 this year, he sold a packet of 20 FEST cigarettes to a 16-year-old boy who was sent in as a test purchaser.

All the products seized from the shop did not display the English health and safety warnings.

Abraham pleaded guilty to nine counts of possession of goods to supply which are prohibited by safety regulations on the dates of April 28, August 29 and September 23, 2014 and April 2 this year.

He also admitted to selling goods with signs/packaging bearing a sign identical or likely to be mistaken for a registered trademark on September 23, 2014.

Defence solicitor, Mr Mahmood Hussain said: "Mr Abraham has pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, and he should be given credit for that.

"He's been in the UK since 2003 and has been running his shop for three years.

"He hasn't been in trouble before, and he has a wife and six children who he sends money to in Pakistan.

"The fact that he will have a conviction to his name will be a huge punishment to him.

"He thought the cigarettes and tobacco were legitimate products that he could sell, and he accepts liability for his mistake."

Mr Hussain added: "He makes a modest living after costs are paid, he normally has about £200-a-week for himself.

"He has made a serious error of judgement, and one for which he is very sorry."

Carolyn Stride JP sentenced him to eight weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months and ordered him to pay £1,616.58 in costs.

She said: "It would have been for 12 weeks had it not been for your early guilty plea.

"The matter was so serious as there were a huge number counterfeit items for sale, some which didn't have the appropriate health warnings, and could have put purchasers at risk of harm."

She also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of all the products seized.