Tyneside gang get jail for AWP scam

31/01/2012

The Tyneside Chronicle reports that a group of fraudsters have been jailed after stealing thousands of pounds from fruit machines  in pubs while pretending to play on them.

They crowded round the AWPs  posing as customers enjoying a drink and a gamble. But behind the wall of bodies, one would sneak to the back, switch the machine to demonstration mode and empty it of cash using a stolen master key.

The gang helped themselves to thousands in pound coins from five pubs across the North East, including three in Newcastle. Now two of the gang have been locked up while four others received suspended jail terms.

Sentencing them at Newcastle Crown Court, Recorder Julian Goose said: “This was a determined, organised and highly profitable exercise.You targeted particular premises in this area and, acting together, you would stand round a gaming machine so what you were doing could not be seen.”

Read More https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2012/01/30/tyneside-pub-fruit-machines-targeted-by-gang-72703-30226995/#ixzz1l1rAjLdG