Man guilty over illegal cigarettes and tobacco

Addison was found with cigarettes depicting Marlon Brando in The Godfather

A man has been found guilty of possessing illegal cigarettes and tobacco, six months after receiving a suspended prison sentence for similar offences.

Michael Addison, from Cheltenham, was convicted of five counts relating to the possession of fake cigarettes and smuggled hand rolling tobacco.

In April 2024, the 65-year old was caught in Kidlington with a bag containing cigarettes and tobacco on the back seat of his car, along with a notebook detailing sales records.

He will be sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on 26 August.

Addison earlier received a two year suspended sentence for similar offences in September 2023,

Oxfordshire County Council's trading standards team conducted the operation alongside Thames Valley Police and the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit.

Addison was found with a notebook detailing sales

During an interview under police caution, Addison claimed the cigarettes had been bought for his personal use.

He told officers the hand rolling tobacco was for somebody else who had approached him to "see what he could do as a one off".

Addison also confirmed the notebook related to tobacco sales, but claimed it was "from years ago".

Councillor Jenny Hannaby, the local authority's community safety chief, said: "While there is no safe level of smoking, there is also no way of knowing what is contained in unregulated and counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco products, which could put your health at an even greater risk."

The council's head of trading standards, Jody Kerman, said: "We have been able to catch a prolific offender targeting Oxfordshire again, who clearly may never have stopped."