A 49-YEAR-OLD mum tried to buy a £1 bottle of orange juice from Sainsbury’s with a fake £20 note before attempting to do the same in Holland and Barrett in Golden Square.

Winnie Maughan, of Palmdale Gardens, admitted two charges of passing counterfeit notes and was handed a three-month suspended prison sentence.

The Great Sankey mum was also ordered to carry out unpaid work when she appeared in Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday.

The court heard how in October 2016, Maughan attempted to pay for a £1 bottle of orange juice at Sainsbury’s in Chapelford.

The shop assistant became suspicious of the £20 note she gave him and CCTV was later analysed.

On November 14, the same year, Maughan attempted to buy a £1 bottle of lotion from Holland and Barrett in Golden Square Shopping Centre with another counterfeit £20 note.

Maughan is also required to undertake a rehabilitation activity in addition to the unpaid work.

Judge Neil Hewitt, QC, said: “I do not think you appreciate just how seriously counterfeit money cases are viewed by court.

“These notes are damaging to the efficiency of our economy.”

The court heard how Maughan had previous convictions including two counts of shoplifting.

The judge added: “If you continue to commit such offences you will go to prison.”