A SHOP owner who was caught hiding illegal tobacco in empty juice cartons has had his licence revoked.

Illegal tobacco and cigarettes were found in the juice cartons at AH Global Market in Rishton Lane.

Baker Mahmood, who pleaded guilty to charges at Bolton Magistrates' Court earlier this month, can no longer sell alcohol from his Great Lever shop.

He attended a town hall hearing yesterday in which he was asked by councillors why he should be allowed to keep his licence.

Cllr Kevin McKeon said: “You want to continue in your shop. Why should we let you? You have done an illegal thing. Why should we let you carry on running your shop?”

But Mr Mahmood did not have an answer.

As well as losing his licence, he has been ordered to pay a total of £1,350 in fines together with £541 in court costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

His company was handed £1,800 in fines, a further £541 of costs and a £30 surcharge. HMRC will also be issuing a fine for unpaid tobacco duty.

Cllr Maureen Flitcroft, who chaired the meeting, said: “We have decided to revoke the licence on the grounds of prevention of crime and disorder.”