JTI supports prosecution of two illegal tobacco sellers

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JTI has supported the prosecution of two individuals who sold counterfeit tobacco through Facebook.

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At Southend Magistrates’ Court, Michael Light pleaded guilty to four counts of selling and possessing counterfeit tobacco. Light was sentenced to a fine of £800 and required to pay a £34 victim surcharge. The court also imposed a requirement for Light to pay £500 towards the investigation costs and an order was made for forfeiture and destruction of all the fake tobacco.

In addition, Lauren Marie Squelch pleaded guilty to selling counterfeit tobacco products that broke The Trademarks Act 1994 at Southend Magistrates’ Court. Squelch was sentenced to a fine of £120 and ordered to pay costs of £200 and a £34 victim surcharge.

Following online contact, evidence of the offences was obtained as a result of face-to-face test purchases, conducted in June and July 2020. In both instances, five illegal products (50g packs of roll your own tobacco) were purchased. The cases were brought by TM Eye as a private criminal prosecution on behalf of JTI.

Charlie Cunningham-Reid, UK head of corporate affairs at JTI, said: “We welcome the decision made by the court for both offences. JTI is committed to helping tackle the problem of illegal tobacco and we will not hesitate to take similar action in future. Selling illegal tobacco damages legitimate business and makes it easier for young people to get hold of tobacco products.”

JTI has successfully supported 13 prosecution cases for infringements on one or more of its brands since the start of 2018.