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A Crosskeys shopkeeper has been ordered to pay more than £3,200 in fines and court costs after selling a single cigarette to a council officer carrying out a test purchase.

Balwant Singh, a partner in Campus News, in Risca Road, admitted the offence of selling cigarettes out of their original packaging – contrary to the Children and Young Persons (Protection from Tobacco) Act 1991.

The test purchase was carried out in January last year and a subsequent investigation by Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Trading Standards also found failures to comply with licensing requirements for alcohol sales.

Singh, 53, of Jubilee Way, Rogerstone, also admitted an offence under the 2003 Licensing Act when he appeared at Newport Magistrates Court on March 17, after council officers found no alcohol sales training records for staff.

Singh was fined £224 for the sale of a single cigarette, £908 fine for breaching his premises license and was ordered to pay the local authority costs of £1,678.69 and a victim surcharge of £453.

The shopkeeper has agreed to pay a total of £3,263.69 at a rate of £300 a month.

Councillor Philippa Leonard, Caerphilly Council’s cabinet member for public protection, said: “The sale of single cigarettes is illegal and presents multiple issues.

“It not only facilitates the initiation and continuation of smoking among young people but also undermines effective tobacco control policies, including health warnings on packets.

“Compliance with clear licensing conditions reflects the license holder’s dedication to public safety, crime and disorder prevention, and minimising public nuisance. We hope this case serves as a reminder to other businesses in the borough.”