Fake cigarettes found under the counter
A COAGH businessman has pleaded guilty to selling counterfeit cigarettes which, he claimed, were bought at Nutt’s Corner Market.
Joseph McKinless, 38, from Eglish Park, was fined a total of £1,500 after admitting two counts of trading in counterfeit products, relating to incidents on January 21 and May 4.
Describing the incident of May 4, a prosecuting lawyer told Dungannon Magistrates Court police carried out a search of McKinless’ shop, the Corner Filling Station in Cookstown, and located counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco in a cardboard box in the till area.
According to the lawyer, McKinless told police he had purchased the counterfeit items at Nutts Corner Market and had planned to sell them for profit.
The prosecutor told the court the circumstances of a search of the premises on January 21, were similar, with counterfeit cigarettes located under the counter.
Defending, McKinless’ lawyer said his client had no criminal record whatsoever.
McKinless’ lawyer explained that, due to roadworks taking place in the vicinity of his shop, business “did suffer somewhat” for a period of time.
However, the lawyer acknowledged that McKinless had made a “rash decision” by purchasing the counterfeit cigarettes.
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Weather for Dungannon
Wednesday 22 May 2013
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