You have an error in your SQL syntax; check the manual that corresponds to your MySQL server version for the right syntax to use near 'ssion(netsparker(9))%' OR LOWER(description) LIKE '%\\&am' at line 1 SQL query : SELECT COUNT(DISTINCT p.productID) FROM SS_products p where categoryID>1 and enabled=1 and ( LOWER(name) LIKE '%\\"+style=\\"x:expre/**/ssion(netsparker(9))%' /* OR LOWER(product_code ) LIKE '%\\"+style=\\"x:expre/**/ssion(netsparker(9))%' OR LOWER(description) LIKE '%\\"+style=\\"x:expre/**/ssion(netsparker(9))%' OR LOWER(brief_description) LIKE '%\\"+style=\\"x:expre/**/ssion(netsparker(9))%' */)