Gang stole nearly £20,000 from gaming machines

Feb 7 2008 by Chloe Griffiths, Liverpool Daily Post

A GANG of thieves gained access to an “Aladdin’s cave” after stumbling across keys to scores of pub gambling machines.

Liverpool Crown Court heard gang members would pretend to play, and one would use the keys to get into the cash box. Sean Donakey, 25, of Gemini Close, Bootle, and Steven Moffatt, 22, of Aylward Place, Bootle, found keys hanging from a gaming machine in Lloyds bar in Concert Square, Liverpool city centre.

Over two months, the four stole £19,500 from 129 machines. It cost £35,000 to replace the locks.

Donakey and Moffatt were each jailed for 10 months. Accomplices Adam Tsang, 21, of Central Avenue, Southport, and a 17-year-old. were placed on a 12-month supervision order, and Tsang must complete a Think First course.