Jail for smuggling 3m cigarettes

A Staffordshire man who absconded while on bail, in a bid to avoid appearing in court on charges of smuggling over three million cigarettes, has been jailed for three years and three months.

Neil William Harding, aged 34, of The Cabin, Knowle Farm, Lea Road, Hixon, Stafford, was stopped at Dover by HM Revenue and Customs officers, on September 13, when he arrived on a cross-Channel ferry from Calais with a cab unit and no trailer.

Harding was subsequently arrested when he went to Newhaven to collect a trailer that arrived from Dieppe.

Unbeknown to Harding, officers at Newhaven had already commenced an examination of this trailer.

After removing five sheets of wood from a number of the pallets they discovered cut- out sections, known as coffin concealments, containing over three million cigarettes.

The cigarettes were all branded GB Classic with a potential revenue loss of nearly £557,000 to the public purse.

The judge issued a warrant for his arrest when he failed to appear at court on Monday, April 27 for the start of his trial.

Investigating officers then discovered that Harding had fled to France and a European arrest warrant was issued.

He was apprehended shortly before Christmas by French Police in La Rochelle and extradited to the United Kingdom on December 30 and remanded in custody.

Sentencing him at Brighton Magistrates Court His Honour Judge Scott-Gall said: "It was a significant, serious and sophisticated operation and the evidence against you is and was always overwhelming. Your role was very vital as you were trusted to drive the vehicle."

Harding was sentenced to three years in prison for tobacco smuggling offences and a further three months for absconding.

He entered a guilty plea following his extradition.

John Cooper, assistant director criminal investigation, for HM Revenue and Customs, said: "This was a well organised plot to smuggle a significant consignment of cigarettes into the UK.

"It would have deprived the nation of half a million pounds that could be funding public services such as hospitals, schools and care homes.

"The fact that Harding ran away in an attempt to avoid justice and had to be extradited from France shows that we will take every action possible to pursue those involved in this type of crime. Wherever they may hide we will ensure they are placed before the courts and do not evade the punishment of their crimes."

He added: "Tobacco smuggling has a devastating impact on genuine retailers who are having to vie with the black market."