BRIAN Carty got his fingers burned after buying some "hot and dodgy" money in an Accrington pub.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Carty had spent only a little of the counterfeit money when he was rumbled by a bar man and arrested by the police.

Carty, 49, of King Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to possessing 10 counterfeit £5 notes and 16 pound coins and passing counterfeit £5 notes. The case was adjourned until February 2 for pre-sentence reports and Carty was remanded on bail.

Neil Standage, prosecuting, said a barman at the Old Toll Bar pub on Accrington Road, Blackburn, became suspicious when drinks kept being bought with £5 notes. The police found more notes and counterfeit coins in his pocket and noticed a bulge in one of his socks.

"From there they recovered a further four £5 notes and what followed was an interview in which Carty was as frank as it was possible to be," said Mr Standage.

Carty told the police how he had been drinking in an Accrington town centre pub when he was approached by a man who offered to sell him £50 in notes and some coins for just £20. The man told Carty the money was "hot and dodgy," but he made the purchase anyway.

Daniel King, defending, said Carty had been drinking with friends in Accrington shortly before Christmas. "He saw this as a way of more than doubling the amount of money he had to celebrate the festivities," said Mr King.

"The notes were, however, not only hot and dodgy, they were clearly that and it was the second note he passed that aroused suspicion."

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