A HUDDERSFIELD shop faces a fight to keep its licence after police seized untaxed cigarettes, beer and wine.

Councillors will decide this month if Jat’s Superstore in Crosland Moor can go on selling alcohol following the find.

Police discovered the untaxed goods at the 24-hour shop at Nabcroft Rise.

Officers also seized alcohol from the home of licence-holder Shamim Akhtar – after seeing two men removing cases of beer from the back of her house.

Pc Richard Farrand, who led the inspection of Jat’s Superstore, has compiled a report for Kirklees Council.

He wrote: “During the inspection a handbag was located behind the counter on a chair which Mrs Akhtar had been sitting on.

“Inside were 180 Ju Ling cigarettes on which no duty had been paid.

“When questioned, Mrs Akhtar stated that the handbag had been left by a customer. The handbag contained nothing else other than the non-duty paid cigarettes.”

Pc Farrand and his colleagues found another 2,200 untaxed cigarettes in Mrs Akhtar’s Toyota Hiace, which was parked outside the shop.

Officers also seized 72 bottles of Italian wine and 24 litres of beer on which no duty had been paid.

Pc Farrand and his colleagues then went with Mrs Akhtar to her home at Springdale Avenue in Thornton Lodge.

He wrote: “Mrs Akhtar delayed officers from entering the house by stating that she did not have a key.

“Officers went to the rear of the property where they disturbed two men removing cases of beer out of the back kitchen window. On seeing the officers, the men ran off.”

Police found 25 cases of untaxed beer, including Carling, Stella and Fosters, at Mrs Akhtar’s home. They also seized 55 bottles of wine on which no duty had been paid.

Overall, officers recovered goods worth £811 in tax during the visits to Mrs Akhtar’s home and shop on December 12.

Pc Farrand wrote that the 34-year-old woman had “no regard for the law”.

He added: “The police have grave concerns relating to the management of these premises and request that consideration be given to revoking the licence.”

Kirklees Council’s licensing panel will consider the matter at a meeting at Huddersfield Town Hall from 10.15am on Thursday.

Twelve residents have signed identical statements supporting Jat’s.

They say the shop “provides an essential service” by selling alcohol 24 hours a day. The statement adds that Jat’s is usually “free from any kind of trouble on a night time”.

The Examiner contacted Mrs Akhtar to ask if she wished to comment on the issue.

She asked the paper to contact her Leeds-based solicitor John Coen. He did not respond to the Examiner’s request for a comment.