Courts / Dublin / Report
Suspended sentence for Chinese national caught three times with untaxed cigarettes
Summary
A 33‑year‑old Chinese national, Chang Jun Zhao, was sentenced by the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to a two‑year prison term suspended for two years after pleading guilty to evading tax duty on cigarettes on three occasions in 2013. He was caught three times by customs officials with untaxed cigarettes: first on May 9, then on October 10, and finally on June 12. In each instance, authorities discovered thousands of Chinese‑branded cigarettes at his address or in a nearby shop, and he provided his phone number, which was later found on a website advertising Chinese cigarettes. The total loss to the State was estimated at €6,000. Despite his claim of ignorance about the penalties, the judge noted that Zhao had not ceased the activity and imposed the suspended sentence, citing the aggravating factor that he continued to evade duty. The case was prosecuted by Anne Rowland BL and defended by Fiona Sheehan BL.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Suspended sentence for Chinese national caught three times with untaxed cigarettes. Charges or matters: evading tax duty on cigarettes at Fitzgibbon Street on May 9 and October 10, 2013 and evading duty on cigarettes with intent to defraud the State on June 12, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- May 9 Other
- October 10, 2013 Other
- June 12, 2013 Other
- May 5, 2013 Other
- June 12 Other
- October 22 Other
- 2015-07-09 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: evading tax duty on cigarettes at Fitzgibbon Street on May 9 and October 10, 2013 and evading duty on cigarettes with intent to defraud the State on June 12, 2013 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Nolan acknowledged Zhao's guilty plea and previous good record, but said the aggravating factors in the case was that "he didn't stop." He imposed a two year sentence, suspended for two years.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Fitzgibbon Lane
- Dublin
- Fitzgibbon Street
Topics
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