Publican jailed for selling illegal cigarettes

More than 20,000 cigarettes were seized

A Leeds publican has been jailed for illegally selling cigarettes and tobacco he had imported from Belgium.

Stephen Priestley, 42, managed the White Hart in Town Street in Beeston.

Following a raid on the pub by Customs and Excise officers he appeared at Leeds Crown Court.

There he was sentenced to three months in jail for possessing and dealing in goods on which no UK duty had been paid.

Duty evaded

Customs officers found illegal tobacco and cigarettes behind the bar and a notebook detailing tobacco transactions.

More than 20,000 cigarettes and 16 kilos of tobacco were seized in total.

The court was told that Priestley had evaded £7,000 duty.

Following his arrest he was dismissed by the brewery.

A Customs spokesman said it was a warning to anyone involved in the smuggling of cigarettes and tobacco.

"Not only can you be sent to prison but you can also be stripped of your livelihood and home," he said.