Rhyl,North Wales - Man receives suspended sentence after stealing pub gaming machine

Published date: 13 May 2016 | 

Published by: Staff Reporter
Read more articles by Staff Reporter

Two men staged an early morning raid at a Rhyl pub getting the gaming machine out into the street.

There they were seen jumping on it to smash it in order to get the money from inside.

Cash and spirits had also been stolen from the Wellington public house in Rhyl, Mold Crown Court was told.

Prosecutor Francis Willmott told how Jobe Morris was arrested because he was not wearing gloves and his finger print was found on a bottle left behind on the bar.

A warrant had been issued for the arrest of a second man but it had not been executed.

Morris, aged 26, of River Street in Rhyl, admitted the burglary which took place on March 12 at about 5am.

He received an eight month prison sentence suspended for 18 months.

Judge Niclas Parry placed him on 25 days rehabilitation and imposed a four month tagged indoor curfew between 6pm and 6am.

The judge said the pub was out of pocket by more than £1,900.

The offence crossed the custody threshold and it had been a planned burglary, but Morris had pleaded guilty, co-operated with police and had been apologetic.

It was clear Morris had issues and the judge said the public would be better served by having them addressed.

As he left the dock, Morris said: “I am really sorry.”

Judge Parry told him: “Take your chance.”

The court heard how some attempt had been made by the two men to conceal their identities by covering their faces.

Miss Willmott told how they took some spirits from the bar, left but returned and tried to burn a wire securing the till.

They cut the wire and left with the till and some alcohol.

The burglars removed the fruit machine from the pub but it was too heavy.

She told how they got it outside and were seen jumping on it to get the £350 in coins from inside.

An early morning delivery driver saw them and alerted police.

Sarah Yates, defending, said Morris had mental health issues, was medicated but had not been taking it at the time of the burglary.

The judge stressed the sentence imposed on Morris was not to tie the hands of any future judge sentencing the second man when he was arrested.

The second man had a far more serious criminal record, the judge said.

see-http://www.rhyljournal.co.uk/news/162027/rhyl-man-receives-suspended-sentence-after-stealing-pub-gaming-machine.aspx