A MAN convicted of using fake notes at a retail outlet is to be sentenced at crown court next month.

Richard David Kennedy tried to spend £300-worth of counterfeit £20 notes at the Argos store, in Walney Road, Barrow, on November 12 last year.

Kennedy, 31, of Dalton, had pleaded not guilty to the charge at Furness Magistrates' Court in March and he was then found guilty of the offence during a trial at the Barrow court on Wednesday.   

The defendant returned to the magistrates' court yesterday for sentencing.    

Prosecutor, Mr Lee Dacre, told the court that Kennedy had handed over 15 counterfeit £20 notes and a £10 note to pay for an item, but the Argos sales assistant suspected that the £20 notes were fake.

Mr Dacre said the Argos assistant had said that the notes "didn't feel right" and then went to check with her colleagues.

The prosecutor said that while the £20 notes were being checked Kennedy, of Wellington Street, had left the store. 

The defendant had said that he did not know the notes were counterfeit.

Defending Kennedy, Mr Trystan Roberts, said: "The offence is not sophisticated. It is not a criminal operation of a criminal genius. Someone has handed in counterfeit notes."

District Judge, Mr Gerald Chalk, decided not to sentence Kennedy in the magistrates' court and committed the case to crown court.

The adjourned case is next due to be heard on Friday May 20 at Preston Crown Court.

Kennedy was granted unconditional bail by the court.