Jesus Christ appears on £20 notes around Chichester

Images of the Messiah’s likeness have begun appearing on fake notes across the area sparking disappointment and anger in the community.

Birdham man Raymond Brody was one unlucky claimant when he stumbled across what he thought was cash while strolling through the village last week.

Mr Brody said he was ‘sick to his stomach’ after picking up the fake twenties on two separate occasions.

“It’s bad enough that someone thinks it’s a good idea to litter in the first place but in today’s economic crisis £20 on the floor can mean feeding a family for a week. To instil false hope in them like this is horribly hideous.

“I found the fake notes both times when walking my dog. The first time I found them down the bottom of Court Barn Lane and I’m sure a lot of people would agree at this time £20 can go a long way when you are already struggling to make ends meet as it is.”

After a cursory glance to see if anybody nearby had dropped the first note ‘survival of the fittest kicked in’, Mr Brody said, and he scooped up the note with plans to stick the money on his energy meter later on.

“When I got home and looked at the note I was disappointed to say the least. Nothing like a bit of false hope to start your day on a downward spiral,” he said.

A few weeks later Mr Brody was walking along Westlands Lane when we came across the second offending note.

He added: “After finding the first note a few weeks back I was dubious so I unfolded the note to see Jesus Christ.

“I was very tempted to write on it ‘stop breaking the law’ and insert it into the church donation box, but thought the better of it.”

The note was allegedly distributed by the ‘Bank of Heaven’ and warns those who read it, ‘don’t be fooled, Jesus is the real thing’.