The former owner of an off-licence in Finsbury Park has been ordered to complete 120 hours of community service and pay a bill of over £1,000, after being convicted of selling illicit alcohol and tobacco products.
Ozkan Ulgudur pleaded guilty last Thursday to five offences of misleading shoppers and selling defective goods at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court.
Islington Trading Standards found that Supreme Supermarket, on Seven Sisters Road, had been selling illegal vodka, cigarettes and shisha tobacco bought from the back of a van. Mr Ulgudur had not paid duty on the products, and appropriate health warnings were not displayed on the packaging.
HM Revenue and Customs seized the stock, including 30 bottles and more than 8,000 cigarettes, in February.
Councillor Paul Convery, Islington Council’s executive member for community safety, said: “Booze and cigarettes bought from the back of a van can have anything in them – and vodka is especially high risk.
“Illicit alcohol and tobacco can cause huge harm to communities and we will take action against dodgy dealers who break the law and ignore their responsibilities.”
The shop is now being run by new owners who have no connection to Mr Ulgudur.
