A MAN who was involved in attempts to avoid paying any duty on almost 95kg of hand rolling tobacco has been spared jail.

Paul Anthony Wareing was convicted for three offences committed at Southampton coastal terminal between March 2018 and December 2018.

The 72-year-old pleaded guilty to being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent attempt at evasion of any duty chargeable on the goods for tobacco quantities of 10kg, 47.45kg and 37.5kg, respectively.

Wareing, of Hornby Court, Blackburn, appeared at Southampton Magistrates' Court on October 7, where he was given an overall 12-month jail sentence for the three offences, suspended for 24 months.

He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £115 and £85 costs. Multiple packets of tobacco were seized to be forfeited and destroyed.