A wad of cash appeared genuine at first glance but there was something of note that made them stand out as fake - they were each worth "twenty poond".
When William Hickson was searched at a Newcastle police station over an unrelated matter, he seemed to be swimming in cash, with £820 in his sock. The notes had images of economist Adam Smith and pin factory workers featured on the reverse but on closer inspection they appeared to have adopted a Geordie accent.
Newcastle Crown Court heard the notes were examined by an expert from the Bank of England, who confirmed the obviously dodgy wad was fake. Prosecutor Andrew Finlay said the police had realised immediately that the notes were counterfeit and added: "There was £820, 41 notes in total. They all had the same serial number.
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"The notes were examined by an expert from the Bank of England, who confirmed they were not real."
Hickson, 33, of Lanchester Avenue, Gateshead, admitted possessing counterfeit currency, which he planned to try to spend, given the opportunity.
Rachel Hedworth, defending, said Hickson has suffered "significant adversity" in his life and added: "He has accepted he was in simple possession of them and accepted he would have gone on to use them, had he had the opportunity."
Miss Hedworth said Hickson had not realised the notes were fake when he got them but added: "After a period of time he did realise that they were."
Recorder Jason Pitter KC told Hickson: "You were arrested and in your possession was £820 cash. All of that money was counterfeit. There were 41 notes in total. That is a very serious offence, which for obvious reasons crosses the custody threshold. The existence of counterfeit money undermines the economic system."
The court heard Hickson is not heavily convicted and has a history of mental health problems. He was sentenced to 23 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with rehabilitation requirements and a year long curfew between 8pm and 6am.
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