THE owner of a convenience shop has been handed a community order after being found with around 6,000 illegal cigarettes.
Yousef Rahimi, owner of the Leigh Local Convenience Store on Railway Road, had 5,960 illegal cigarettes and 900g of hand rolling tobacco in his possession.
The 25-year-old was convicted of nine counts of possessing goods with a false trade mark for sale or hire on occasions between May 24, 2018 and October 25, 2018.
Rahimi pleaded guilty to a further count relating to breaching the regulations of health warnings with the ones that were labelled on the cigarettes.
He also sold alcohol to a 15-year-old last October.
The defendant was told to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work in the next 12 months and pay court costs of £1,500 and a victim services surcharge fee of £85.
He was sentenced at Wigan and Leigh Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.
To report illegal tobacco or underage sales contact Wigan Council's trading standards team in confidence on 01942 827476 or email ts@wigan.gov.uk.
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