TWO men who went on a spending spree in Silverburn and Braehead shopping centres were caught using fake vouchers and fake cash.

Usman Bashir and Shiraz Shabir appeared together in the dock at Glasgow Sheriff Court to listen as a list of their crimes was read out.

Depute fiscal Jessica McGowan told the court how both men had obtained expensive goods using forged RBS notes and counterfeit gift vouchers.

They scored mobile phones, computer games and designer clothing before being stopped by police.

Shabir's crimes occurred over two days, shortly before Christmas 2018.

On December 4 around 6.40pm he bought high end trainers worth £140 from Footasylum in Braehead using forged RBS banknotes.

The following day, at 7.30pm, the 37-year-old tried the same scheme a second time in Argos at Silverburn.

He attempted to purchase a Samsung wristwatch using using eleven £20 RBS banknotes and one £10 Clydesdale banknote.

But staff were suspicious and police were called.

On February 28, 2019, cops carried out a search warrant at Shabir's Pollokshields home and found cannabis worth £780.

He was arrested and taken to Cathcart police office.

Bashir also targeted Argos Silverburn, acquiring two Apple iPhone Xs worth £2000 on November 9, 2018 using counterfeit Bonus Bond vouchers.

Ms McGowan told the court that two members of staff checked the vouchers and believed them to be real.

But later that day one staff member saw an email about counterfeit vouchers circulating and contacted the police.

Three days later, around 1.40pm on November 12, 2018, at Ernest Jones in Silverburn Bashir approached the sales counter wanting to buy a black watch worth £1200.

He paid with 120 counterfeit £10 Bonus Bond vouchers.

Again the store manager believed them to be real and the accused made off.

Another email came round about the vouchers and police were contacted.

Then, around 7.40pm on December 19, 2019, the 31-year-old entered the Tesco Extra at St Rollox and bought an XBox1 and a PS4 worth £260 and paid with 13 counterfeit £20 notes.

The shop assistant checked the money in a machine, which rejected it.

The police were called and Bashir was identified from CCTV.

Shabir's defence brief said his client takes "full responsibility" for his actions and has not offended since.

The lawyer said: "He lives with his mother and sister and is a full time carer for his mother, who has Parkinson's disease. His sister suffers from MS.

"His time is taken up caring for both his mother and sister.

"He has a landscaping business but this has been adversely affected by the pandemic.

"At the present time he has no money and is supported by family.

"Once restrictions are lifted my client would hope to start his business again.

"Some considerable time has passed since this offence and my client has put this matter behind him."

Bashir's defence brief told the court his client married six months ago and he and his wife are expecting their first child in November.

The solicitor said: "His wife has Crohn's disease and he looks after her. He has formed a haulier company."

Referring to criminal justice social work reports before the court, he added: "This is not the best report your ladyship will see today, or possibly this week, but he accepts full responsibility for these actions.

"He finds his actions disgusting and sickening and he realises to some extend the impact this had on the victims.

"Custody would be difficult for his wife with a new baby on the way and his two employees would lose their jobs."

Sheriff Shona Gilroy sentenced Shabir to a community payback order with 90 hours of unpaid work to be completed within 12 months.

Bashir was also hit with a community payback order but told he must complete 150 hours of unpaid work within 12 months.

He will also be under the supervision of social work for one year.