Fraudulently claimed £53 casino pay-out

The case was heard at Newry Magistrates' Court.

A man who claimed a £53 casino pay-out which had been worked up by someone else has been given a conditional discharge.

Newry Magistrates' Court heard a guilty plea on behalf of Desmond Patrick John Savage of Gleann Si, Rostrevor.

The 49-year-old admitted a charge of fraud by false representation during last Wednesday’s hearing.

The court was told that on Saturday, March 13, at approximately 7.20pm, the injured party stated that she was playing on a machine at Max Casino, Newry, and had worked up a payout of £53.

She said that she left the machine for a few minutes and on her return discovered the pay-out had been claimed.

On speaking staff she was advised that a male had brought the machine receipt to the desk and claimed the money before leaving the casino.

On review of CCTV police were able to identify Savage as the suspect.

On April 14 he was arrested and conveyed to Banbridge custody suite where he provided full admissions to all offences.

The court was told that compensation was being sought for the injured party of £53.

A defence solicitor told the court that Savage has "an appalling record".

"It's the definition of opportunism, really, when he saw this and decided to take advantage of this lady,” the legal representative added.

“He is in a position today to discharge the compensation to this lady."

District Judge Eamonn King gave Savage a conditional discharge for 12 months and imposed a compensation order in the sum of £53.