CAR WASH MAN CAUGHT WITH DODGY CIGARETTES
Cash-strapped Khadhur, 30, earned only £250 a week from his day job
A Cash-strapped car wash operator was caught with thousands of pounds worth of counterfeit tobacco and cigarettes in his van.
Investigators seized 100 packets of cigarettes worth £3,750 and 400 packets of handrolling tobacco worth £1,230 – which did not have proper health warnings – from Hayman Khadhur’s vehicle in 2018.
Phone records revealed the 30-year-old had previously been selling cigarettes and tobacco on the instruction of a shopkeeper.
Now Khadhur, of Picton Street, Hanley, has admitted charges of possessing counterfeit tobacco products and supplying a tobacco product without health warnings.
Magistrates at North Staffordshire Justice Centre handed him a 12-month community order which includes 60-hours unpaid work. He must also pay £785 in court costs.
The prosecutor said: “This is a matter involving the supply of counterfeit tobacco and cigarettes and the defendant being in possession of a significant amount of these items.
“A significant quantity of these items were seized from a van belonging to the defendant.
“An analysis of the defendant’s phone showed over 100 messages pertaining to the sale of these goods.
“The aggravating factor is the harm to the customers. The defendant did have a significant role.”
But Patrick Currie, mitigating, hit back: “I don’t necessarily agree that it was a significant role that he played. “He is a single man who currently operates a car wash.
“He earns about £250 a week from the car wash.” The court heard Khadhur became associated with the shopkeeper after being lent money so he could carry out work on his flat. Mr Currie added: “He was low on funds and working parttime. During the course of that, the owner of the shop asked him if he would pick up some cigarettes for him.
“He agreed to do so because he was in significant debt to the shop owner. He worked part-time for the shop owner and was fearful of losing his employment.”