A man from Gateshead has appeared in Newcastle Crown Court after being caught with counterfeit notes with 'glaring obvious mistakes'.

William Hickson, 33, of Lanchester Avenue, Gateshead was found with £820-worth of £20 notes on his body during a search in an unrelated arrest in 2021.

Northumbria police knew the money was fake after seeing it had false serial numbers and the large lettering mispelling of 'Twenty Poond'.

Hickson pleaded guilty to possessing counterfeit currency in July 2022 and on November 10, he was sentenced to 23 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with rehabilitation requirements and a year-long curfew between 8pm and 6am.

He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £187.

The 41 counterfeited notes were forfeited and destroyed.