A black-market trader was caught selling counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco three times in as many years.

Appearing before Oxford Crown Court on Thursday (July 6), Michael Addison, 63, of Portland Place, Cheltenham, pleaded guilty to 17 breaches of the tobacco and trademark regulations.

He was caught by Trading Standards in October 2021, January 2022 and February 2023 selling counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco in Kidlington. On the final occasion alone he had almost 700 cartons of 20 cigarettes.

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The Oxford Mail understands that, although Addison was caught with the illegal booty in or nearby the town’s market, he was not a trader at the market.

Judge Ian Pringle KC heard that he had products purporting to be from brands Lambert and Butler, Golden Virginia rolling tobacco and Richmond cigarettes. The cartons were not genuine and did not contain the required health warnings, nor were they in the plain packaging required by law.

The senior judge fixed the case for a mention hearing on July 31 and granted the defendant unconditional bail.

Barrister Michael Forster appeared for Oxfordshire County Council’s trading standards team at Thursday’s hearing. Angela Porter represented Addison, who appeared in court wearing a suit and tie.