THE owner of a chip shop has been hit with a fine for selling counterfeit cigarettes to children.

John Chiu, of Withington Close, Atherton, pleaded guilty to four counts of selling cigarettes to underage children and selling counterfeit cigarettes from his chip shop business Good Frydays.

Chiu, aged 52, admitted to Wigan Council’s Trading Standard officers that he even sold loose cigarettes to children for 20p each when they could not afford a full pack.

Members of the public, who knew what was going on at the Market Street shop in Atherton alerted Trading Standards.

Officers set up a covert operation with a 16-year-old volunteer carrying out a test purchase and she was sold a pack of counterfeit cigarettes.

During the test purchase officers also observed a group of young girls go to the shop and buy cigarettes.

Officers later raided the premises and found further packs of fake Palace branded cigarettes and loose cigarettes in the kitchen.

Chiu was given a reduced sentence at Wigan and Leigh Magistrates’ Court for an early guilty plea and was fined a total of £672 including costs.

Clr Kevin Anderson, Wigan Council’s executive member for environment, said: “This is a dreadful example of someone putting profit before the safety of children. This businessman was putting the health of young people at huge risk.

“His selling of loose cigarettes for 20p, the same price as sweets, was deplorable. This case highlights how illegal tobacco sold under the counter is not a victimless crime and that these illegal sources make it easier for our children to start smoking.

“I would like to thank the public for contacting Trading Standards to report the illegal activity.

“We rely on members of the public to help us stop illegal tobacco from being available on our streets and prevent criminals profiting from this illicit trade.”

To report illegal tobacco or any underage sales to Trading Standards in confidence call 01942 827476 or email ts@wigan.gov.uk. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.