A PAINTER and decorator hid almost £10,000, mostly made from selling fake designer clothes, around his home and garden.

Police searched the home of Stephen Miller, aged 48, of Little Chell Lane, Little Chell, on May 14.

Prosecutor Patrick Darby told Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court yesterday £9,515 was recovered, including £590 from a jacket, £1,000 under decking in the garden and £3,000 behind the fuse box. Police also found a bag containing designer leisure wear.

Miller said he bought clothes in bulk from Manchester and would sell them to friends and colleagues on building sites where he worked.

He told officers if he bought £500 worth of clothes he would expect to make about £2,000.

Miller pleaded guilty to possessing criminal property, namely the counterfeit clothes, and concealing criminal property.

Peter McCartney, defending, said police went to Miller's home because they suspected he might be involved in money laundering. Those charges were not proceeded with.

Judge Robert Trevor-Jones sentenced Miller to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, with 200 hours' unpaid work.