Driver to face trial over fake cash charge

A MOTORIST is due to face trial in January after pleading not guilty to possessing about £3,800 in counterfeit currency following a car stop in Runcorn.

Sam Walker, 38, of Beetham Plaza, Liverpool, was pulled over by Cheshire Police on August 29.

He was subsequently charged with possession with intent to supply (PWITS) the Class B drug cannabis, driving disqualified, driving without insurance, and the counterfeit currency matter.

At Chester Crown Court, Walker was produced from custody to appear in the dock where he spoke to confirm his name and that he was convicted of PWITS cannabis at North Cheshire Magistrates’ Court in Warrington on Tuesday, August 31, Walker having pleaded guilty to the allegation.

He pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and without insurance.

Walker denied possessing counterfeit currency and the matter was listed for trial during the week commencing January 17.

Brief charge details put to Walker described the counts as arising from August 29, when he was stopped by police in a Maserati Levante while driving on the M56 motorway in Runcorn with three kilograms of cannabis.

It is alleged he was in possession of about

£3,800 of notes that he knew or believed to be counterfeit currency.

Michael Davies, defending, outlined the defence case that it would argue the notes were of “such poor quality it could never be mistaken for real money”.

Jayne Morris, prosecuting, added Walker had said it was intended for use playing poker “like Monopoly money”.

Judge Michael Leeming, presiding, declined a request to pass sentence for the PWITS charge and said it would take place at the conclusion of the counterfeit currency trial.

Walker, who appeared wearing a black T-shirt with a white logo, was remanded back into custody.