THREE men appeared before Hyndburn magistrates accused of dealing in goods without paying duty.

Steven Anthony Slinger, 31, of Blackburn Road, West End, Oswaldtwistle; Keith Allen, 50, of West View, Oswaldtwistle; and John Wilson, 44, of Tranmere Cottage, Hoyle Hill, Long Preston, near Skipton, were granted unconditional bail.

Slinger faces four charges of being concerned in dealing with goods when duty was chargeable.

Slinger, together with Allen, is also charged with being concerned in fraudulently evading prohibition or restriction on import of goods.

Allen and Wilson face two joint charges of being concerned in fraudulently evading prohibition or restriction on import of goods.

Allen also faces four counts of being concerned in dealing with goods when duty was chargeable and three further charges of being concerned in fraudulently evading prohibition or restriction on import of goods.

Wilson also faces four counts of being concerned in dealing with goods when duty was chargeable.

Three joint charges against Slinger and David Everett, 45, of New Lane, Oswaldtwistle, of being concerned in fraudulently evading prohibition or restriction on import of goods were withdrawn.

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