A Bolton shopkeeper has been fined after admitting to selling illegal cigarettes.

Khan Hama Yar, of Cavendish Gardens was found with around 5,500 mixed brand cigarettes and 1.4 kilos of hand-rolling tobacco at his Uani Mini Market store in Atherton.

He was caught during an HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) crackdown in June.

Yar said he was responsible for buying stock for his shop but did not know where the cigarettes and tobacco came from.

The 29-year-old was previously stopped at Manchester Airport in September 2017, attempting to bring more than 10,000 non-duty paid cigarettes into the UK from Qatar.

The cigarettes were seized and a warning letter issued.

During a hearing at Bolton Magistrates Court, Yar pleaded guilty to fraudulent evasion of excise duty, and was ordered to pay a £165 fine, £30 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

A HMRC spokesperson said: “There was little attempt from Yar to hide his criminal activities.

“The sale of illegal tobacco will not be tolerated by us or our partner agencies."