A POLISH deli in Witney has been stripped of its alcohol licence after it was caught selling 'smuggled' cigarettes in a council sting.

The Corn Street shop is the first in Oxfordshire to lose its licence in this way, according to the county council. 

Trading standards officers caught staff selling illegal tobacco, retrieved from behind a curtain, on multiple occasions last year. 

This resulted in two raids, seizure of the contraband tobacco and the arrest of three people who work at the premises.

West Oxfordshire Council’s Licensing Panel has now agreed that the shop has been actively involved in the sale of illegal cigarettes and has revoked its licence.

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The panel heard that the owner had received a previous stringent warning along with a £6,000 penalty, following the seizure of thousands of smuggled cigarettes from another shop he used to own, and from his home, back in 2011.

A member of staff caught selling illicit tobacco during a test purchase, admitted during interview that the shop had been selling smuggled cigarettes since it had opened and that all staff were told by the owner to do so.

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Councillor Judith Heathcoat, the county council’s cabinet member for community safety, said: “This decision sends a clear message to anyone involved in this kind of thoughtless and illegal activity. We will ensure that we catch you, and your licence will be at serious risk.

“Working with key partners, we remain committed to the disruption, investigation and prosecution of this criminal activity, protecting the health of Oxfordshire residents, both young and old alike."