A Maldon duo used fake £2 coins to trick slot machines and cash out more than £3,000.
Shane Flack, 37, and John Burke, 46, were caught on CCTV using various slot machines in service stations across Essex.
Rebecca Debenham, prosecuting, told Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday how the two men received a payout of £3,404 in total, as they used 124 coins between December 28, 2023 and January 5, 2024.
Mrs Debenham said: “The offences took place at service stations and shops that had slot machines, where they were playing with fake £2 coins.
“The win was then paid out in real £2 coins.
“The complainants noticed when the machines were emptied. Both were caught on CCTV playing the machines.”
She said, as a result of the five incidents, the venues had to increase their security measures.
Mrs Debenham read from a statement prepared by Welcome Break, one of the sites affected, calling the duo “organised criminal brutes” whose “criminal activity raised concerns for the welfare of customers and staff”.
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Vladimir Silea, mitigating, disputed the allegation the defendants were “organised” criminals.
He said: “This is not an organised criminal gang. They are mates going through difficult times.
“They found a bag of coins and tried their luck against the casino.”
Mr Silea told the court Flack, a roofer, had gone through a divorce at the time and was “living in a van”, but has found himself in more stable circumstances.
Burke, the court heard, had lost his job in 2023 following a stroke and has not been able to work since.
Flack, of Fambridge Road, admitted six counts of fraud by false representation, while Burke, of High Street, admitted all three counts of fraud by false representation.
The bench at Colchester Magistrates’ sentenced Flack to a community order, under which he will have to comply with 80 hours of unpaid work.
The order also included a victim surcharge of £114, £55 in costs, and £1,642 in compensation.
Burke was fined £200 and will also have to pay a victim surcharge of £80, costs of £55 and £1,642 in compensation.
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