A FRAUDSTER who tried to cash in fake cheques at two East Lancashire banks was rumbled on both occasions.

William Hannon first tried out the scam at the TSB branch on Bank Street in Rawtenstall before becoming spooked and leaving.

Just three hours later and Hannon had travelled to Blackburn, where he once again entered a TSB branch before attempting to cash in another cheque.

The court heard how the 31-year-old was ‘deeply ashamed’ of his actions, with his defence barrister arguing that there had been ‘some degree’ of exploitation of Hannon by those he was working with.

It was also explained how he has learning difficulties and suffered from depression and anxiety.

Prosecuting the case, Paul Dockery explained: “The defendant approached the assistant, opened a file, looked at it and signed a check in front of her for £950.

“She was concerned that the size and feel of the cheque were not as she imagined they should be and asked the defendant if he had a debit card on him. He said no.

“She was suspicious because under the ultraviolet light, while the rings on the cheque did show up, they were not in the right pattern so she asked him for ID.

“He provided a driving licence and she asked him to take a seat while she spoke to a member of the business team. She could hear the defendant on the phone asking ‘what should I do?’

“When she next looked up he had gone – leaving the check and driving licence. Thus the authorities were notified.”

Around three hours later, Hannon entered the TSB branch in Blackburn, where he again tried to cash a fake cheque in similar circumstances.

The team there became suspicious too and he left the branch in a similar fashion – leaving the driving licence and cheque behind.

Neither of the licences had belonged to the defendant.

The next day the defendant was tracked down and arrested in Accrington. He gave a no comment interview but later pleaded guilty to the offences at a court hearing.

Court documents show Hannon also goes by a number of aliases, including Chuggs, Chugsy and Chunk.

Sentencing Hannon of St Annes Road, Rochdale, Judge Graham Knowles QC said: “You have a terrible record and seemed to come to a halt in your crime when you served a sentence in 2013. You went about five years without offending, doing remarkably well and the first offences you committed when you went wrong again are the ones I have to deal with you for today.

“You have had a long wait to be sentenced but you have occupied the time in between with other offences which have seen you get all sorts of sentences.”

Judge Knowles QC added: “The real question is what do I do with you? In my view it is obviously unnecessary to put you in prison today for this, three years on when you have already been down for other things.

“It is no fault of your own that you have waited so long since pleading guilty. A community order is the just way forward and I can’t say that it is something I can’t justify a community order for.”

As part of the order Hannon must complete 15 rehabilitation requirement days and a three-month alcohol treatment requirement.

He was also ordered to pay a fine.