Trio stopped in Hereford had fake cash but are spared jail sentence (From Hereford Times)

Trio stopped in Hereford had fake cash but are spared jail sentence

7:00am Tuesday 16th March 2010 in

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POLICE found nearly £1,000 of fake cash after stopping a father and son in Hereford.

But John and Patrick McCarthy, from west London, have escaped a prison sentence for owning counterfeit currency.

Hereford Crown Court was told that the pair were arrested in October 2008 following a numberplate check in Holmer Road.

The pair, of Lady Margaret Road, Southall, were sentenced last Thursday along with a teenager who cannot be named for legal reasons.

Stephen Davies, prosecuting, said officers found £960 in fake £20 notes under the central console of their car.

Some 48 notes were discovered in a “well-hidden” pouch and envelope which had traces of the trio’s DNA.

Mr Davies said McCarthy Snr refused to comment in two interviews before admitting to custody of counterfeit currency in December 2009.

His son and a 16-year-old male admitted to the same charge at an earlier hearing.

Andrew Davidson, for McCarthy Snr, said the 58- year-old was recovering from cancer and was caring for an ill wife.

He said no-one could prove where the money came from and called the crime an “opportunist enterprise”.

Bruce Gray, for McCarthy Jnr, said the 18-year-old was mending his ways after five convictions as a teenager.

Timothy Sopwell, for the 16- year-old, said the youngster had a good record and had showed courage for pleading guilty.

Judge John Freeman accepted the travelling family had “come by” the notes and had not produced the currency.

McCarthy Snr was given a six-month sentence, suspended for two years, with a supervision requirement for the same period.

He must also pay costs of £700, while an order was made to destroy the counterfeit cash.

McCarthy Jnr and the 16- year-old were both handed a community punishment and rehabilitation order, with a supervision requirement for two months. They must also undertake 120 and 60 hours unpaid community work respectively.