AN IRISH man appeared in court in Cheltenham yesterday charged with fraud after being arrested at the racing festival on Tuesday.
Patrick Kiely (45), Ballinwillin, Mitchelstown, Co Cork, pleaded guilty at Cheltenham Magistrates Court to using two €50 notes and possessing €4,800 in counterfeit money.
He will appear at the Crown Court at a date to be set.
The court heard that he tried to use the counterfeit money to place bets on the first day of the festival.
A member of staff noticed the notes had the same serial number and contacted police. One of the bets won and when he returned to collect his winnings, police were waiting for him.
When they searched him, they found a further €4,800 in €50 notes, all bearing the same serial number. Mr Kiely told police he bought the money from a man in a pub near his home.
He was held at Cheltenham police station before being brought before Cheltenham Magistrates Court yesterday morning.
Prosecuting, Liz Thomas, said: "He bought the counterfeit notes in Ireland with the intention of bringing and using them at the Cheltenham festival."