Suspended prison sentence for the boss of a supermarket who sold illegal tobacco

The owner of a Bedford supermarket has been given a 26-week suspended prison sentence and ordered to pay more than £12,000 in costs and penalties, after “repeatedly” ignoring warnings from Bedford Borough Council.

Parim Jit, owner of PJ supermarket, in Aspley Road, Bedford, was convicted at Luton Magistrates' Court on Tuesday (May 28) of 11 offenses relating to the sale of illegal tobacco.

He was found guilty of five breaches of the labeling requirements of Part 2 of the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 and six breaches of the Trade Marks Act 1994.

In addition to the suspended prison sentence, the court ordered him to pay £12,474.30, including £12,320.30 towards prosecution costs plus a victim surcharge of £154.

A spokesperson for Bedford Borough Council said: “The court found that there were a large number of offenses, which took place on several occasions. These were deliberate acts and Mr Jit repeatedly failed to respond to the warnings. He knew he was breaking the law.

“All businesses selling illegal tobacco should be aware that the Trading Standards Service will use all enforcement tools at our disposal, including prosecution and closure orders, to ensure that these activities do not continue.

“If you think a company is selling illegal tobacco, you can report it to Trading Standard via the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 or www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/get-more-help /report-to-trading-. standards/.”