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Mothers made fake notes at home Mothers made fake notes at home
(20 minutes later)
Two mothers who printed their own counterfeit cash using printers and scanners have been jailed for nine months at Mold Crown Court.Two mothers who printed their own counterfeit cash using printers and scanners have been jailed for nine months at Mold Crown Court.
Michelle Edwards, 30, and Ceri-Anne Gittins, 24, admitted printing £10 and £20 notes at their Wrexham homes.Michelle Edwards, 30, and Ceri-Anne Gittins, 24, admitted printing £10 and £20 notes at their Wrexham homes.
The notes looked the "genuine article" at first glance, the court heard.The notes looked the "genuine article" at first glance, the court heard.
Edward raised suspicions when trying to use a note in a Macdonald's restaurant and her car was traced by CCTV after trying to use notes at a petrol garage. Edwards raised suspicions when trying to use a note in a McDonald's restaurant and her car was traced after trying to use notes at a petrol garage.
The pair were in the process of printing more money when police discovered the equipment.The pair were in the process of printing more money when police discovered the equipment.
The court heard how Edwards, the mother of a 14-year-old son, and Gittins, who has children aged three, four and six, used special cutters, paper and pens and produce the notes.The court heard how Edwards, the mother of a 14-year-old son, and Gittins, who has children aged three, four and six, used special cutters, paper and pens and produce the notes.
They are, unless you look at them closely, in appearance, the genuine article Judge John Rogers QCThey are, unless you look at them closely, in appearance, the genuine article Judge John Rogers QC
Judge John Rogers QC said the Court of Appeal had repeatedly said that people in possession of counterfeit notes should go to prison.Judge John Rogers QC said the Court of Appeal had repeatedly said that people in possession of counterfeit notes should go to prison.
The case of Edwards and Gittins was more serious because they were actually producing the notes, he added.The case of Edwards and Gittins was more serious because they were actually producing the notes, he added.
He said: "In the summer of last year, both of you purchased printer/scanners, cutters, papers and pens in order to produce counterfeit notes.He said: "In the summer of last year, both of you purchased printer/scanners, cutters, papers and pens in order to produce counterfeit notes.
"I have seen the notes produced. They are, unless you look at them closely, in appearance, the genuine article.""I have seen the notes produced. They are, unless you look at them closely, in appearance, the genuine article."
'Been enough''Been enough'
Suspicions were raised when Edwards tried to pass a £20 note at a McDonald's restaurant but it was spotted and seized.Suspicions were raised when Edwards tried to pass a £20 note at a McDonald's restaurant but it was spotted and seized.
"That did not deter you," said the judge, and Edwards then went on to try and pass two £10 fakes at an Asda petrol station."That did not deter you," said the judge, and Edwards then went on to try and pass two £10 fakes at an Asda petrol station.
CCTV cameras recorded her registration number and when police went to her home they seized two printer/scanners, paper and prototypes of notes.CCTV cameras recorded her registration number and when police went to her home they seized two printer/scanners, paper and prototypes of notes.
Prosecuting, Meirion Lewis-Jones said: "They had been in the process of printing more when the police found the items."Prosecuting, Meirion Lewis-Jones said: "They had been in the process of printing more when the police found the items."
Edwards blamed Gittins and when police went to her home they again seized a printer/scanner and other materials.Edwards blamed Gittins and when police went to her home they again seized a printer/scanner and other materials.
Judge Rogers told Gittins: "That ought to have been enough but it was not. Ten days later when you must have been on bail, or at least under suspicion, you were out with a £10 note which was counterfeit."Judge Rogers told Gittins: "That ought to have been enough but it was not. Ten days later when you must have been on bail, or at least under suspicion, you were out with a £10 note which was counterfeit."
The court heard she had tried to pass off the £10 note at a burger bar on an industrial estate.The court heard she had tried to pass off the £10 note at a burger bar on an industrial estate.
Genuinely terrifiedGenuinely terrified
Both admitted tendering counterfeit notes and having custody of materials with intent to produce counterfeit notes.Both admitted tendering counterfeit notes and having custody of materials with intent to produce counterfeit notes.
Sion ap Mihangel, for Edwards, said that despite what was said in a pre-sentence report, she was not attempting to minimise the seriousness of what she had done, or blame others.Sion ap Mihangel, for Edwards, said that despite what was said in a pre-sentence report, she was not attempting to minimise the seriousness of what she had done, or blame others.
She accepted her responsibility and knew that she was in a serious position.She accepted her responsibility and knew that she was in a serious position.
Mark Connor, for Gittins, said that it was a small-scale, amateur operation involving modest equipment and few notes and not a professional outfit.Mark Connor, for Gittins, said that it was a small-scale, amateur operation involving modest equipment and few notes and not a professional outfit.
She was the mother of three young children, she had not had an easy life, and she was genuinely terrified of custody.She was the mother of three young children, she had not had an easy life, and she was genuinely terrified of custody.
Neither had been to prison before, the court was told.Neither had been to prison before, the court was told.