Counterfeit cigarette gang is sentenced

Police began to investigate the activities of Darren Remmington, Jennifer Saunders, Noreen Turner and Julie Dougherty in summer 2008 as part of a probe dubbed Operation Liquidate.

Around 2.1 million cigarettes were seized. Officers said the products, which were being passed off as well-known brands, were being sold on the streets of Barnsley, netting the gang profits of tens of thousands of pounds.

The four were arrested, alongside Dougherty's brother-in-law Danny, after a series of raids on November 14, 2008, and were eventually brought to court in April this year.

Remmington and the Doughertys pleaded guilty to a number of offences, including the possession of cash believed to have been obtained through crime.

Turner and Saunders, who faced charges surrounding the cigarettes as well as having 14,030 in cash contrary to the Proceeds of Crime Act and the possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply. were convicted after a three-week trial.

Turner was also found guilty of possession of a firearm and ammunition contrary to the Firearms Act.

Remmington, 45, of Yews Lane, Worsbrough Dale, was sentenced at Doncaster Crown Court to two-and-a-half years in prison while Saunders, 37, of Little Stubbing, Wombwell, was given a 12-month jail sentence.

Turner, 64, of Hill Crest, Hoyland, was given a three-month suspended jail sentence and a conditional discharge for the firearms offence. Julie Dougherty, 54, of High Street, Worsbrough Dale, was given a three-month curfew from 7pm to 7am.

Danny Dougherty, 45, of Yews Avenue, Worsbrough Dale, will be dealt

with at a later date.