A Hengoed man and his boss have been fined a total of £1,130 by magistrates after they were caught selling cigarettes to children from their ice cream van.
Mark Gabriel, of Hengoed, and his boss James Fisher, from Cardiff, were the subject of a trading standards investigation after complaints from residents.
Torfaen trading standards set up a number of test purchases using 14 and 15-year-old volunteers in the Pontypool area.
On three different occasions the teens were never challenged about their age or asked ID.
Fisher, who rents a ‘Signor Rossi’ ice cream van, and his employee Gabriel admitted charges of selling cigarettes to children and were handed the fine by Cwmbran Magistrates.
Torfaen councillor Gwyneira Clark, executive member for housing and public protection, said: “This case should serve as a warning to businesses in Torfaen that we are constantly on the lookout for illegal sales of cigarettes and we will take action against anyone we catch in the act.
“We’re determined to protect the health of our young people, and stopping businesses selling cigarettes to underage people is a big part of this.
“The sentence shows how seriously the courts view these sales and this should serve as an example to others who might break the law and risk children’s health.
“Selling one packet of cigarettes to a child, which might have made him less than £1 profit, has now landed these traders with a £1,130 bill and a criminal record.”