Bet-shop ban for machine damage

Mudassar Khan

A man was spared jail yesterday after causing thousands of pounds worth of damage to machines in betting shops across Oldham.

Mudassar Khan (22) of County Street, Werneth, was given a six- month sentence suspended for two years and a three-year Anti-Social Behaviour order by Oldham Magistrates on eight counts of criminal damage between July and November. The ASBO denies Khan admission to any betting shop in Oldham.

On each of the eight occasions, Khan went into a betting shop and after losing money on a machine would become angry and let it crash to the floor - causing £5,600 to machines in Ladrokes betting shops and £1,100 to machines in William Hill premises. Khan told police the machines “talked” to him.

Prosecuting, Sean Brady said Khan would become paranoid under the influence of alcohol and cannabis.

“It must have been a frightening experience for those working in the stores,” he said.

Defending, John Wright said Khan was addicted to gambling, alcohol and drugs, which had resulted in a number of “episodes”.

As well as his suspended sentence and ASBO, Khan was ordered to pay £500 to Ladbrokes and £250 to William Hill.