A MOTORIST stopped by police in Powys who had stashed fake £20 notes in the air conditioning system has been jailed.

Hadi Fayzuallahbagi was pulled over by police in Welshpool in July 2020. Police searched his vehicle and discovered almost £2,500 in cash, £740 of which was fake currency. Fayzuallahbagi, from Birmingham, told officers the cash was money he’d won gambling and denied a charge of counterfeiting when he initially appeared at Welshpool Magistrates’ Court last June.

He was convicted after trial and appeared at Mold Crown Court on Thursday (January 13) where he was given an immediate six-month jail sentence by Judge Niclas Parry. The term was added to a 12-month sentence the 43-year-old is already serving for a separate matter involving assault and possessing a bladed article.

Fayzuallahbagi, who appeared via videolink from HMP Hewell, clasped his hands together in prayer throughout the hearing, appearing very emotional, and he thanked the judge repeatedly for the sentence when it was passed.

Prosecutor Oliver King said the offence happened on July 1, 2020, when Fayzuallahbagi was pulled over on Mount Street, Welshpool, driving a blue Ford Focus.

“Police conducted a stop check at around 9pm that evening and searched the vehicle,” said Mr King.

“Inside the drivers’ door and glove box, even the air conditioning grid, police found a number of £20 notes. They were examined and 122 notes in total were seized, 37 of which were counterfeit, amounting to £740.

“In his first interview he claimed the cash was winnings from gambling. He said in a second interview he didn’t realise they were counterfeit. He maintained they were from winnings and earnings.”

Mr King said the notes in the car totalled £2,440. Fayzuallahbagi denied the counterfeiting charge, but was duly convicted at trial on June 22 last year.

There had been a number of adjournments before sentencing, largely due to the other matters in Worcester, dating back to 2018. He was sentenced on December 14, 2021, to 12 months in prison for common assault and possession of a bladed article.

James Coutts, defending, said his client, of Gravel Bank, Birmingham, suffered with severe mental health issues and was struggling in prison.

“He is now serving his first custodial sentence and it’s clear he hadn’t realised the impact of the sentence, he’s finding it challenging,” said Mr Coutts.

“The word he uses to describe himself is desperation. It is clear he is a man who is troubled and has been so for a long period of time. He’s been through a difficult time in his life, having kept out of trouble for vast periods.

“He had desperate hopes he was going to be released today, but I’ve explained to him that’s not possible as he’s serving a sentence."

He added: “I’d recommend not to extend his stay in custody longer than it needs to be. He just wants to get out and back to his old life. It won’t happen immediately but I ask your honour to pass a sentence that doesn’t crush that hope.”

Judge Parry jailed Fayzuallahbagi for six months, which is to be added to the end of his current sentence.

He told him: “It’s been said many times in cases like this but that’s because it’s true. When people engage in counterfeit currency, it could potentially undermine the whole economy.

“It affects businesses, especially small ones, and livelihoods. The sentence must involve an element of deterring others. It was not an insignificant amount, and clearly involved a professional enterprise somewhere.

“You foolishly elected to have a trial. No doubt you’re troubled and vulnerable, which affected what you were doing. Your difficulties make custody more difficult.”

Fayzuallahbagi will serve half of his sentence in prison and the other half on licence. The judge ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the £20 notes.