A FRUIT and veg seller who sold packs of counterfeit cigarettes in pubs was spared jail.

Michael Khakias, 70, said he made just £100 a week, but police found about £1,000 in cash on him and £3,300 in his van, a court heard.

Khakias, of Buzzard Way, Penallta, had already been fined for illegal street trading (of fruit and vegetables) in 2012 and 2013, Newport Crown Court heard.

Newport judge Mervyn Hughes suspected his profit was a lot higher, the court heard.

On Friday [Nov 6], Judge Hughes gave him an 11-week prison sentence, but suspended it for nine months.

The court heard how Khakias was caught after selling counterfeit tobacco to two undercover trading standards officers at the Sirhowy pub in Blackwood High Street on January 21. The Greek-born greengrocer was arrested two days later with the cash, Ms Pickthall said.

Police found he had 17 cartons of tobacco of 200 cigarettes, and 39 tobacco pouches on his person and in his van, the court heard.

The counterfeit tobacco included 50 grame tobacco pouches labelled as 'Virginia,' as well as Winston cigarettes.

Officers also recovered diaries and an address book, the court heard.

Prosecutor Alex Greenwood said there was evidence he Khakias had involvement not just in the sale of counterfeit tobacco, but also its wider distribution.

Khakias sold the counterfeit tobacco at the Sirhowhy and the Forester pub on a daily basis for several months, the court was told.

He pleaded guilty to four charges under the Consumer Protection Act and four charges under the Trade Marks Act.

Defence barrister, Lawrence Jones, said his client had begun to sell the counterfeit cigarettes following the death of his wife in 2014.

Khakias had said he had been 'lost without her' and wanted to have more social contacts, Mr Jones told the court.

Mr Jones added that the retired greengrocer had previously had three shops in Cardiff and grew his own fruit and vegetables.

He admitted his client was his 'own worst enemy,' but stressed he had been remorseful for his criminal actions.

The court heard he had been fined at Caerphilly Magistrates Court for the illegal mobile sale of fruit and vegetables in 2012 and again in 2013.

Judge Hughes said his operation displayed 'some degree of professionalism,' adding the considerable amount of tobacco seized was an indication of the level of his trading and ability to purchase stock.

Judge Hughes did not accept his assertion that his weekly profit was around £100 and said he suspected it was considerably more'.

A timetable to recover his assets has been set under the Proceeds of Crime Act, with a hearing listed for mention to take place on January 25.