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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Family 'ran fake £1 coin factory' | Family 'ran fake £1 coin factory' |
| (2 days later) | |
| Thousands of pounds' worth of fake £1 coins were uncovered at a counterfeiting factory during a raid on a farm in Kent, a court has heard. | Thousands of pounds' worth of fake £1 coins were uncovered at a counterfeiting factory during a raid on a farm in Kent, a court has heard. |
| The coin-making paraphernalia was found hidden in a concealed room behind wooden panelling at Tonge Corner Farm, Tonge, near Sittingbourne on 13 May. | The coin-making paraphernalia was found hidden in a concealed room behind wooden panelling at Tonge Corner Farm, Tonge, near Sittingbourne on 13 May. |
| Michael Silk, 70, of Iwade, Kent and Paul Bart, 65, of Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, deny making fake coins. | |
| Mr Silk's son Stephen, 49, of Borden, Kent, has pleaded guilty to the charge. | Mr Silk's son Stephen, 49, of Borden, Kent, has pleaded guilty to the charge. |
| Maidstone Crown Court was told on Friday that brothers-in-law Michael Silk and Mr Bart also deny having counterfeiting materials, including a hydraulic machine press, and possessing counterfeit coins with a view to distributing them as genuine. | Maidstone Crown Court was told on Friday that brothers-in-law Michael Silk and Mr Bart also deny having counterfeiting materials, including a hydraulic machine press, and possessing counterfeit coins with a view to distributing them as genuine. |
| Stephen Silk has admitted having counterfeiting materials. | Stephen Silk has admitted having counterfeiting materials. |
| Metal discs | Metal discs |
| Andrew Forsyth, prosecuting, told the court police forced entry into a rented industrial unit on the farm and found Michael and Stephen Silk. | Andrew Forsyth, prosecuting, told the court police forced entry into a rented industrial unit on the farm and found Michael and Stephen Silk. |
| They recovered £8,000 worth of prepared coins and 14,000 yellow metal discs waiting to be pressed. | They recovered £8,000 worth of prepared coins and 14,000 yellow metal discs waiting to be pressed. |
| When Michael Silk's coat was checked it contained keys, a remote device for an alarm system and an adapted spanner, which the Crown alleged was for use on the machinery. | When Michael Silk's coat was checked it contained keys, a remote device for an alarm system and an adapted spanner, which the Crown alleged was for use on the machinery. |
| But in interview he denied knowledge of any factory or being party to any manufacture of coins. | But in interview he denied knowledge of any factory or being party to any manufacture of coins. |
| DNA found on some discarded latex gloves in a bin in the concealed press room was linked to Michael Silk. | DNA found on some discarded latex gloves in a bin in the concealed press room was linked to Michael Silk. |
| Neighbours reported a male driver in a white Peugeot frequently visiting the unit, which the Crown allege was Mr Bart, Mr Forsyth said. | Neighbours reported a male driver in a white Peugeot frequently visiting the unit, which the Crown allege was Mr Bart, Mr Forsyth said. |
| Mr Bart was arrested when he arrived at the unit during the police search. | Mr Bart was arrested when he arrived at the unit during the police search. |
| He told officers he had a key to the unit but did odd jobs and denied any wrongdoing. | He told officers he had a key to the unit but did odd jobs and denied any wrongdoing. |
| The trial continues. | The trial continues. |