Stop and search lands two men in prison over fake bank notes plot

Two men using counterfeit Scottish notes up and down the country have been jailed after their fake cash plot was scuppered by a police stop and search in Yorkshire. Patrick Ward, 22, of

Coole Park, Galway, Ireland, and Jason Ward, 19, of Radharc Na Freine, Galway, Ireland, appeared at Leeds Crown Court on Friday, May 23, after being arrested and charged for using fake

Scottish bank notes in Yorkshire shops - and across the country. The two men were arrested on January 21, 2025, after police officers stopped a car in Wakefield. Inside the car officers

found items that had been bought from various stores in Wakefield, Barnsley, Sheffield and Chesterfield using counterfeit Clydesdale bank notes and then refunded for cash at other branches.

With the assistance of UKNCO, further offences linked to the group were identified in the Thames Valley, West Midlands, West Mercia, Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Northamptonshire and

Leicestershire police force areas. The pair pleaded guilty to the charges of having 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, whereas Jason Ward was sentenced to 28 months in a young offender institution. A third man, William Browne,

19, of St Finbars Terrace, Galway, was also charged but failed to appear at court and a warrant has been issued for his arrest. Detective Sergeant Craig Twycross from Wakefield CID said

“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.” Neil Harris, Head of Unit at the National

Counterfeit Currency Unit at the NCA said: “This investigation targeted a criminal enterprise where the suspects 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. “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.” _GET ALL THE LATEST AND

BREAKING WEST YORKSHIRE COURT NEWS STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX BY_ _ SIGNING UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER HERE. _ GET BREAKING NEWS IN YORKSHIRE STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE Get all the latest big and breaking

Yorkshire news straight to your mobile via WhatsApp by clicking here. If you don’t like our community, you can leave any time. We also treat members to special offers, promotions, and

adverts from us and our partners. Read our privacy notice here.