4 days ago
Two Galway men jailed for spending fake Scottish notes across UK
Patrick Ward (22) of Coole Park, and Jason Ward (19) of Radharc Na Freine had been arrested on January 21 after police stopped a car in Wakefield
Two Galway men who came to the UK from Ireland 'with a view to using fake cash to fund their lifestyles' have been jailed.
Patrick Ward (22) of Coole Park, and Jason Ward (19) of Radharc Na Freine had been arrested on January 21 after police stopped a car in Wakefield.
Following a search, officers found items that had been bought from various stores in Wakefield, Barnsley, Sheffield and Chesterfield.
A subsequent investigation established that counterfeit Clydesdale bank notes had been used to purchase items that were then refunded for cash at other branches.
Jason Ward
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The investigation by Wakefield CID and backed up by the UK National Counterfeit Currency Unit (UKNCO) at the National Crime Agency (NCA), linked similar offences committed by the same gang in the Thames Valley, West Midlands, West Mercia, Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Northamptonshire and Leicestershire police force areas.
Both men appeared at Leeds Crown Court having pleaded guilty to conspiracy to have custody or control of a thing knowing it was a counterfeit currency note, passing counterfeit currency and converting criminal property.
Patrick Ward was sentenced to 30 months in prison while Jason Ward was given 28 months in a young offender institution.
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a third man, William Browne (19) of St Finbars Terrace, Galway, who was also charged but failed to appear at court.
Detective Sergeant Craig Twycross from Wakefield CID told the Barnsley Chronicle: 'This was a complex investigation which has prevented fake notes circulating around the country and leaving businesses with worthless cash.
'The defendants came to the UK from Ireland with a view to using fake cash to fund their lifestyles, and it is right that they have been successfully prosecuted for their offending.
'I want to urge retailers to be vigilant and take the time to check notes thoroughly. Anyone who notices incidents involving these fake Scottish notes should report them to your local police force.'
Patrick Ward
Neil Harris, Head of Unit at the National Counterfeit Currency Unit at the NCA said the suspects had committed crimes across numerous police force areas.
'However, with the participation of police officers from all of the identified policing areas, the full scale of the offending could be placed before the courts by West Yorkshire Police,' Harris said.
'The custodial sentences imposed demonstrate the seriousness with which counterfeit currency offences will be taken by the justice system and should act as a strong deterrent.'
The NCA said counterfeit Clydesdale £20 notes may feature what looks like a convincing hologram.
'But staff should also check for the colour-changing ink used in the map of Scotland in the top left corner of the note,' he added.
'If the note is genuine, the map will change colour from purple to gold when the note is tilted, and there are also moving rings across the map.
'You can also feel for the raised print that appears across the note including on the name of the bank.'
Police have urged anyone with information or incidents involving counterfeit notes to be reported to them on their LiveChat facility on the West Yorkshire Police website.
