BOOTLEG cigarette seller Andrew Bailey, whose customers were workmates at British Aerospace in Samlesbury, was jailed for two months when he appeared before Blackburn magistrates.

And stipendiary magistrate Jonathon Finestein said the sentence should serve as a clear warning to others not to be tempted by the easy money offered by dealing in contraband.

Bailey, 45, of Shire Lane, Hurst Green, was shaking as he was led away in handcuffs. He pleaded guilty to being concerned in dealing with goods on which duty had not been paid and was also ordered to pay £4,908 compensation and £100 costs.

Andy Shaw, for Customs and Excise, said that when he was arrested Bailey had a note book which detailed his dealings.

With the co-operation of British Aerospace, the people named in the book had been interviewed and the department estimated that revenue of £4,908 due on 40,800 cigarettes had been evaded. He agreed with Mr Finestein that Bailey was at the end of a network which spread throughout the country. "Without people like Bailey it would be difficult for the importers to sell their goods," said Mr Shaw.

John Woosnam, defending, stressed that Bailey had an exemplary work record over 22 years but had almost lost his job as a result of the offence.

He said Bailey, married with three children, had £5,500 available to pay the compensation.

"He is bamboozled by his own stupidity and recognises the risks he has taken of losing his liberty and the effect that would have on his family," added Mr Woosnam.

"It is a known fact that the smuggling of cigarettes from Europe has reached epidemic proportions," said Mr Finestein. "It is not just the tax that is not being paid. Legitimate suppliers have been affected by this flood of undercover dealing and it is for that reason that the courts have to take a very hard line.

Mr Finestein said: "People who deal like this will not only go to prison they will also have to pay the compensation. There is no escape."

Speaking after the hearing, Fred Simmons, manager of the Customs and Excise Blackburn fraud unit said: "Bailey sought to exploit the ready market provided by his work colleagues by selling illicit excise goods to them. The magistrate has reflected the seriousness of the offence in the sentence,"