A MAN who repeatedly used counterfeit currency at a supermarket in the district has been jailed for two years.

Bradford Crown Court heard that Craig Barwell, 33, had a number of previous convictions for similar offences.

Jailing him, Judge Jonathan Rose said the offending struck at economic structures, and damaged retailers.

Judge Rose said: “Those who engage in passing counterfeit currency will go to prison.”

Prosecutor John Bull told the court that the defendant entered the Booths store, in Leeds Road, Ilkley, on five occasions between November 4 last year and January 19.

Each time he picked up low value goods, used a counterfeit £20 note to pay for them, and pocketed the change.

The supermarket retained the notes and they were all identified as counterfeit currency.

The court heard Barwell, who admitted five offences of passing counterfeit currency, had previously been sent to prison three times, and been fined and sentenced to community orders, for similar offences.

His barrister, Giles Grant, said Barwell offered to commit the offences for other people he owed money to.

Mr Grant added: “This currency is widely available.

“He insists he is not near the source, in terms of he doesn’t produce it.

“He’s the man who walks into the store, in open visibility in front of the cameras, to do the dangerous part.”

Mr Grant said Barwell, of Parkway Towers, Seacroft, Leeds, had an alcohol problem which led to drug abuse and debt, and inquisitive offending.

He said his client had suffered a life-threatening incident when his kidneys had failed.

Judge Rose said he accepted the health incident had been distressing for the defendant.

But he said long prison sentences in the past had not prevented Barwell from dealing in counterfeit currency.

The judge added: “I accept you have significant alcohol problems.

“I am prepared to accept you may have debts to drug dealers.

“That does not justify the persistence with which you played a significant part in introducing counterfeit currency into the population.”