East Sussex shopkeeper jailed after failing to attend court four times
Trading standards officers inspected a store in St Leonards
A shop owner in East Sussex has been jailed for four months after failing to turn up to court four times for selling illegal tobacco.
East Sussex Trading Standards found £6,000 of illegal tobacco and cigarettes when they inspected Little Shop in Bohemia Road in St Leonards.
Arras Ahmed, 38, also known as Araz, of Devonshire Place, Hastings, was found guilty in his absence by Hastings magistrates.
Ahmed was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £154 and full prosecution costs of £2,887.50.
Cllr Penny di Cara from East Sussex County Council, said: "The supply of illegal tobacco is something we take extremely seriously.
"This case shows that we will do everything in our power and persevere to ensure those putting residents at risk are brought to justice.
"Mr Ahmed’s failure to appear in court to answer Trading Standards’ charges a total of four times only led to an even harsher sentence.
"The sale of illegal tobacco, which is not subject to the usual stringent checks and safeguards, puts people’s health further in jeopardy, risks encouraging more young people to smoke and places money into the pockets of criminal gangs."