A MAN said to be part of a trio which plotted to make fake bank notes is awaiting sentence after being found guilty.

Mohammed Khan, 45, of Reeth Way, Accrington, was convicted of conspiring to make counterfeit notes after a nine-day trial at Burnley Crown Court. Khan, who had denied the allegation, was remanded in custody until December 16 by Judge Raymond Bennett.

His accomplices, Michael Hartley, 55, of Snowdon Avenue, Blackburn, and Liverpool printer Francis Jenkins, had earlier pleaded guilty to their parts in the agreement.

The jury had been told how the three man had plotted to make fake notes, intending to pass them off as genuine.

Khan, Hartley and Jenkins, who had business premises at Queen's Dock, all played important roles in the enterprise.

Jenkins was recruited by his co-defendants to make thousands of imitation Queen's head water marks ready for production of the cash but police swooped after Khan turned up to collect the boxed order at a takeaway at Samlesbury.

Heather Lloyd, prosecuting, had told the court that Jenkins, with 20 years printing experience, provided the expertise to make the money.

In March, Khan was seen by police on the Kentucky Fried Chicken car park. He was in the passenger seat of a car and Jenkins was the driver.

Khan then got out carrying a box, put it into his own car and drove off. Officers followed and found 2,500 sheets of A4 paper each bearing three separate Queen's head water marks, positioned for the making of counterfeit money.

Miss Lloyd said more paper bearing the same water marks was found on Khan as well as fake money and counterfeit £5 notes were discovered on the top of his wardrobe.

Khan denied knowing Jenkins but his mobile phone showed he had rung him. One call was made a minute before the two met up at the takeaway.

ends wab