A holidaymaker who stole from a fruit machine he’d just been playing on in a bid to get some of his money back has pleaded guilty to theft and criminal damage.
Robert Bernal-Soria, 41, of Coriander Crescent in Guildford, admitted theft from a meter/automatic machine and criminal damage to property valued under £5,000 when he appeared before Magistrates this morning (Tuesday).
Ann Smout, prosecuting, told the court that on the evening of 7th April, at around 23:40, management at Lower Hyde Holiday Park in Shanklin noticed a man acting suspiciously around a fruit machine in the entertainment complex. It was seen that the 41-year-old had some tools in his hand which he was using to open the locked machine.
Security, and the manager of the complex, approached Bernal-Soria and detained him. At first he resisted, however, he soon came to reason and reached into his pockets producing a large amount of change worth around £136.
The fruit machine in question had sustained significant damage.
In Police interview, Bernal-Soria said that he had gone into the bar at around 18:00 and had started drinking. In the following hours, he played on the fruit machine before he headed to his car and grabbed some tools – namely 2 screwdrivers – and broke into the machine in an attempt to get his money back.
Ann Smout told the court that Bernal-Soria had a list of previous offences, including several of this exact nature.
Defending, Amy Hosell said that Bernal-Soria had spent most of the holiday money on the machines and lost it all, adding that the 41-year-old made the decision to try and recoup his losses. She also added that the 41-year-old admitted that he had always had a problem with gambling and that when alcohol was involved it made things a whole lot worse.
The case has been adjourned until 26th May to allow a pre-sentence report to be compiled. Bernal-Soria has been granted conditional bail until that date.
He’s a danger to the public. A menace. He needs locking up.
He is obviously not a danger to the public. He is a gambling addict with a drink problem. Needs professional help.
Does any Government authorities ever actually check
what Arcades fruit machines actually payout from
what actually goes in them!
Are the percentages of the fruit machines set at a fair
percentage.
Luckily he don’t play at Sandown Pier or Shanklin
more chance of winning the Eurolottery the way they pay out.
Fruit machines are a mugs game, the operators can change the odds
so you have no chance of winning.
Old enough to know better, he’s lucky to be able to have a holiday and afford ferry fare in 1st place,many are struggling to feed their children or heat homes etc. If you know that alcohol and gambling causes problems then don’t do it !.
I bet he gets away with it.
Google him – isn’t the first offence!
Gambling addict or just a thief?