A store which was repeatedly caught selling tobacco products to under 18s has had its JTI gantry removed by the manufacturer.

Tony’s Newsagent in Torry, Aberdeen, was hit with a tobacco retail banning order from Aberdeen Sheriff’s Court after owner Shriraj Gindha was caught selling tobacco products to minors “on numerous occasions.”

JTI’s UK head of corporate affairs Paul Williams said: “Given the severity of this offence, we decided that the removal of our gantry was the right course of action.

“Selling cigarettes to minors is inexcusable and JTI is taking a lead to ensure that retailers involved in this type of conduct understand the consequences and are accountable for their actions.

“There are no excuses for poor performance when it comes to selling any age restricted products such as tobacco and retailers should make sure that they and their staff know the law and continue to challenge for ID to people under the age of 18, as a failure to do so could put them and their business at risk,” Williams added.

It is not the first time that JTI has removed one of its gantries from a store caught breaking the law. Last October it seized the gantry at Central News in High Street Cheltenham, after the owner was charged with selling illicit tobacco.