00:00Stockton Council's licensing subcommittee has revoked the Penny Black pub's licence,
00:05saying the venue undermines crime prevention and public safety.
00:10Inspectors uncovered 239 packets of counterfeit cigarettes,
00:1523 packets of non-UK hand-rolling tobacco
00:18and 35 disposable vapes hidden in the pub's back office.
00:23Council licensing officer Elliot Beavers said the venue shows
00:27a persistent pattern of poor management, inadequate control and repeated failures,
00:32including missing CCTV footage.
00:36Gary Cook says he thought the cigarettes were duty-free.
00:39Star pub says it was unaware of sales and is cooperating with officials to improve standards.
