Hayle pensioner sold illegal tobacco from his home

A pensioner has appeared in court after being caught selling illegal tobacco to customers from his home.

Stuart Marrazza, 67, was sent away with a six-month conditional discharge for selling tobacco from his home in Hayle, in the west of Cornwall.

Marrazza appeared before Truro Magistrates charged with seven offences relating to the sale of pouches of rolling tobacco.

The tobacco was not labelled with the required UK health warnings.

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Cornwall Council Trading Standards took Marrazza to court after they received a tip-off he was regularly selling illegal tobacco from his home at Trelawney Place in the town.

After carrying out test purchases from the property an entry warrant was obtained.

Officers seized 22 packs of foreign labelled "Cutters Choice" tobacco from the property and other evidence they argued demonstrated sales were made on a regular basis.

Marrazza pleaded guilty to all seven offences and was ordered to pay £600 costs.

Gary Webster from Trading Standards said: "The sale of illegal tobacco products which are not intended for the UK market is detrimental to both the economy and the wider health agenda.

"The South West is an area with a huge demand for illegal tobacco.

"In Cornwall we are actively following up on intelligence to prevent such sales.

"Selling illegal tobacco not only evades the duty that would normally be payable, but also undermines efforts to reduce smoking in our communities.

"In many cases, sales of illegal tobacco from domestic premises are often targeted at children, who would otherwise find it difficult to purchase tobacco products due to more stringent age checks."