The trial for one of two men being investigated for possessing fake ‘Irn-Bru’ Shisha has been delayed after he lost his identification documents.

Mohamed Badache, 31, of Stockmore Street in Oxford, and Amar Yacine Kacem, 38, of Cowley Road are being tried on five counts involving shisha waterpipe tobacco produced or supplied at Zaid Supermarket on Cowley Road.

Badache was supposed to appear at Oxford Magistrates Court this year on May 6 with Kacem, but his trial has been adjourned to July 29 as he is in Algeria after having lost his identification documents.

READ MORE: Fake 'Irn Bru' branding and tobacco rule breach investigated at Oxford shisha sellers

An immigration solicitor is dealing with his return to the UK.

Kacem pleaded guilty at Oxford Magistrates Court to all charges which involve the packaging of the product not having the correct health warning, as per official regulation for tobacco products, and possessing goods under a false trademark.

He was fined £200 and must also pay £34 to fund victim services and £100 in court costs before June 3 this year.

All the Shisha tobacco in question, which involves over 23,000 grams, is to be forfeited and destroyed by South Oxford District Council.

The charges are detailed below:

  1. A 100g pot of shisha waterpipe tobacco allegedly produced or supplied on December 15, 2020, did not comply with regulations for tobacco in that the packet made reference to taste, smell, flavourings and/or additives in breach of Regulation 10.
  2. The 100g pot of tobacco did not carry a combined health warning as required by regulation 5 of the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016.
  3. There were 23,500 grams of shisha waterpipe tobacco allegedly produced or supplied on December 21, 2020, did not comply with regulations for tobacco in that the packet made reference to taste, smell, flavourings and/or additives in breach of Regulation 10.
  4. The 23,500 grams is also claimed to have not carried a combined health warning as required by regulation 5 of the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016.
  5. The fifth count the men are being tried on is possessing goods under a false trademark for sale or hire, as on December 21, 2020, the business had 100g of shisha tobacco which had a sign identical to ‘Irn-Bru’ without the consent of the well-known soft drink company.

Read more from this author

This story was written by Shosha Adie. 

She joined the team in 2022 as a digital reporter.   

To get in touch with her email: Shosha.Adie@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter: @ShoshaAdie

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