ANDREW Bailey of Westgreen, St James, who was accused of operating a high tech counterfeit operation, was on Tuesday sentenced to eight months in prison, after he pleaded guilty in court.

Bailey, 33, pleaded guilty to possession of a forgery instrument and possession of counterfeit notes.

Bailey was arrested and charged on March 19, following a police raid of his home. The police found a machine used to make the counterfeit notes, as well as several sheets of paper with $1,000 and $500 notes printed on one side.

The police also seized computer equipment that, they said, contained programmes used to create the counterfeit money.

When Bailey appeared in court, attorney E H Williams argued that her client was a technician who had been given the equipment to repair.

The attorney also argued that the equipment was only able to print one side of an illegal note, and that her client had not been able to benefit from the illegal act.

The attorney pleaded for leniency, while arguing that Bailey had only two previous convictions.

But Resident Magistrate Paulette Williams produced court documents, revealing that Bailey had four previous convictions, including two relating to theft of motor vehicles.

In handing down the sentence, RM Williams said she was frightened at the thought of the counterfeit money entering the Jamaican economy.

She said Bailey’s previous convictions revealed that he was a dishonest person and that he had to be sent a clear message.

Bailey was also asked to pay $1,100 for possession of ganja, which was found at his house during the raid.

He will have to serve a seven-day sentence for that offence if the fine is not paid.