Prints of thieves

Seven men sentenced over £1million fake notes racket

SEVEN men were involved in a “sophisticated” counterfeiting racket that produced £1million in fake notes, a court heard yesterday.

Details of the criminal enterprise emerged as the defendants, including two brothers, were sentenced.

The court was told the money involved amounted to just over £560,000 and €510,000 in forged notes.

Judge Paul Ramsey said the operation involved the purchase of relatively low-value items from various shops “in order to maximise the return on the counterfeit money”.

While four men admitted tendering fake cash in November 2014, three pleaded guilty to making a counterfeit note with intent for use on dates between April 2012 and June 2017.

Brothers Alan and Mark Johnston, described by Judge Ramsey as “at the centre” of the operation, were jailed while their five co-accused were handed suspended sentences.

Mark Johnston, 47, from Glen Rise in Belfast was given an 18-month term with his 46-year-old brother, from Alveston Park in Carryduff, was given 15 months. Their sentences will be divided equally between prison and licence.

At Downpatrick Crown Court, sitting in Belfast, five other defendants were each handed 12-month sentences that were suspended for three years. They include Norman Charles Titley, 34, from Abbey Park; James Wallace Titley Robinson, 25, from Forthriver Drive, both Belfast, and 28-year-old Gareth Gorman, from Queens Avenue in Newtownabbey.

Samuel Terence Horner, 49, from Bests Hi l l G l e n , a n d 2 8 - ye a r - o l d Al a n Thompson from Breda House, both Belfast, also walked free.

Det Chief Insp Ian Wilson welcomed the sentencings and said equipment was seized during searches after fake money was used in Ballynahinch, Co Down.

SWOOP Counterfeit note among haul SEIZED Equipment found in PSNI raids

ILLEGAL TENDER Counterfeit £20 notes