A TEENAGER was caught passing counterfeit currency after leaving a shop and telling staff: "It's not a fake."

Alex Hill's remark prompted the boss to check the £20 he had just handed over - and discover it was dodgy.

Police checked closed circuit television camera footage and recognised 19-year-old Hill, from Middlesbrough.

The teenager's lawyer, Rachel Landin, told a judge at Teesside Crown Court today (Monday, February 17): "He is not the sharpest."

The court heard that Hill went into the shop in Normanby, Middlesbrough, and asked for change for the note.

Prosecutor Sue Jacobs said he was given a £10 and two £5 notes, but left the take-away saying: "It's not a fake."

Mrs Jacobs said: "As a result of what he said, the note was checked on a machine and it was a fake.

"Police were called and they checked CCTV and recognised him - because he has a lengthy antecedents."

Miss Landin said Hill was told to the the dirty work for others, who probably saw him as an "easy target".

"He has had some difficulties, effectively associating with the wrong peer group," the lawyer added.

"Somebody has noticed he is not the best educated, he is not the sharpest and found him an easy target."

Hill, of Roseberry Crescent, Eston, admitted passing counterfeit currency in November last year.

Hew was given a community order with 60 hours' unpaid work and told to pay £20 compensation.