A MAN accused of fraudulently evading tax duty on 49,400 cigarettes and 16.5 kilogrammes of hand-rolled tobacco will have his case heard at the crown court due to the severity of the case.

Iamaiel Fatah Ismaiel, of Rossall Crescent, Leigh, gave no indication of his plea when he attended Halton Magistrates' Court on Monday.

The 46-year-old, who was previously renting a flat above a chip shop on Dudley Street in Padgate, was charged with fraudulently evading duty to the sum of £18,475.87.

Ismaiel will next appear at Liverpool Crown Court on October 24.