TWO women caught smuggling nearly £35,000 of tobacco through Poole's continental ferry port have been handed suspended jail terms in court.

Student nurse Jessica Beddoe and unemployed Victoria Brown were stopped by Border Force officers when they got off a ferry from Cherbourg in September 2013.

A search of their vehicle revealed 200 kilos of illicit hand-rolling tobacco which officers believe was destined for the black market in the Manchester area.

Beddoe, 25, and 34-year-old Brown, both from Hyde in Greater Manchester, were travelling in a Citroen Picasso being driving by Brown when officers became suspicious.

They discovered 175 kilos of turner and 25 kilos of golden Virginia tobacco hidden under a blanket in the boot.

Both were charged the following month with being knowingly concerned in carrying, removing, depositing, harbouring, keeping, concealing, dealing with 200 kilos of hand-rolling tobacco which were chargeable with duty which had not been paid with intent to defraud Her Majesty of any duty. The offence is contrary to Section 170 of the customs and Excise Management Act 1979.

Brown pleaded guilty in March 2015 and Beddoe admitted the offence in July on what was to be the first day of her trial.

Brown was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months. Beddoe was sentenced to four months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months. She must also complete 120 hours of unpaid work.

Colin Spinks, HMRC Assistant Director, Fraud Investigation Service, said: "Beddoe and Brown were naïve to think they could get away with smuggling tobacco into the UK. This type of crime costs our economy around £2 billion a year and undermines honest retailers who have to compete with such illegal trade. People with information about tobacco smuggling should contact the Customs Hotline on 0800 59 5000."