Pub Landlord Given Suspended Sentence For Three Smuggling Attempts

Tuesday 12th August 2008

A pub landlord who was stopped and warned on two occasions at Gatwick Airport for bringing large quantities of alcohol and tobacco into the country has pleaded guilty to three charges of fraudulent evasion after being caught a third time.

Mr. Rally's defence claimed that the pub landlord has witnessed a Chinese resaurant that gave out free cigarettes and had intended to try this at his pub, not to sell the tobacco for profit.

On two occasions Andrew Rally, 30 attempted to bring alcohol and tobacco into the country, which were confiscated, however when he was caught a third time he had friends with him carrying some of the goods. Rally was handed down a six month prison sentence that is suspended for a year with supervision as well as £750 costs and 100 hours unpaid community work.