The man spent his fake £20 notes on items including sausage rolls.
A MAN targeted dozens of business across South West Wales using fake £20 notes to buy small items such as sausage rolls and pocketing the change, a court has heard
Over a 10-day period Patrick Shane Joyce conned staff in shops across Gorseinon, Swansea, Clydach, Pontardawe, Skewen, Neath, Port Talbot, Porthcawl, Brackla, Maesteg and Cardiff with the counterfeit currency.
Swansea Crown Court heard that on a number of occasions staff spotted the dodgy money and challenged the 18-year-old — prompting an aggressive response from the defendant.
Joyce, of Bonymaen Road, Bonymaen, Swansea, had previously pleaded guilty to four counts of fraud when he appeared via videolink for sentencing — and asked for another 27 offences to be taken into consideration.
His crime spree began in Port Talbot on August 25 when he bought a 95p sausage roll from a bakery with a fake £20 note, pocketing the £19.05 change from staff and walking out.
Carina Hughes, prosecuting, said that over the following week Joyce travelled widely across south west Wales from Gorseinon to Pontardawe, Porthcawl and Cardiff, carrying out the same scam, often targeting small businesses and shops.
The court heard that, in total, he targeted 31 businesses and attempted to spend £620 in fake notes, being successful with some £400-worth of fraud.
He had just become a dad
During many of the visits to shops Joyce had been one of a group of people — the other individuals are yet to be identified.
In his police interview he said he had just become a dad, and was desperate to provide for his wife and child.
The court heard the defendant had one previous conviction from September last year for stealing scrap metal.
Huw Davies, for Joyce, said his client left school at the age of 12, and had always worked.
He said the defendant was given the fake money in payment for labouring work he had done and, "due to the reputation" of the person who had paid him, had not felt able to challenge him about it.
The barrister added that Joyce had been in custody since his arrest in September.
Judge Keith Thomas said Joyce had targeted business from Swansea to Cardiff "and all points in between", and that he had been the leader of the fake money group.
Complex investigation
Joyce was sentenced to eight months in prison suspended for two years, and was ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay a total of £400 compensation to the businesses he conned, along with £340 in prosecution costs and a £140 surcharge.
The judge also said he wanted a written explanation from the Crown Prosecution Service within seven days as to why the defendant had been charged with fraud rather than passing counterfeit notes.
Speaking after the sentencing, South Wales Police detective sergeant Michael Owens said Joyce had been brought to book following a "complex and protracted" investigation.
He said such crimes could have a big impact on small businesses, and said officers could provide crime prevention advice and help on detecting counterfeit currency to staff.
Read more at http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/conman-used-fake-20-note-to-buy-95p-sausage-roll/story-30118529-detail/story.html#O3XgUj8mTWvDzv1k.99
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