Man in court on counterfeit bank notes charge

5:59pm Wednesday 28th May 2008

A MAN was back in court today accused of making fake bank notes a month after the original charges were dismissed.

John Bennett, 51, of Institute Street, Oakenshaw, near Crook, County Durham, faces 16 charges relating to the possession, production and tendering of counterfeit currency.

Last month District Judge Michael Wood dismissed the case against Mr Bennett because the Crown Prosecution Service had not prepared the papers in time.

But today magistrates sitting at Newton Aycliffe heard Mr Bennett had been recharged with the offences.

It is alleged that between July 2, 2004, and June 27, 2006, at Crook he made counterfeit Bank of England notes.

On June 22, 2007, he is accused of having control of counterfeit money; possession of computer equipment, materials and images of Scottish bank notes to make counterfeit money; forging a vehicle excise licence and possession of an air rifle within five years of prison release.

On August 22, 2007, it is alleged he had a quantity of Bank of England notes with a view to tendering them as genuine and possession of a computer, printer, scanner, paper and ink for making counterfeit currency.

Magistrates declined jurisdiction and committed the case to Durham Crown Court for trial, on July 7. No pleas were entered.

He was granted unconditional bail until that date.