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Gambling addict smashed fruit machine
Thursday, 3pm - A GAMBLING addict smashed a fruit machine after being ejected from a Boston bookmakers, a court was told.
Boston magistrates heard how unemployed Marius Slajus, 30, had spent 700 in a matter of days playing fruit machines at a branch of Coral in the town.
On Wednesday, prosecutor Nick Todd told how the 30-year-old had previously taken steps to overcome his spending.
He said: "Mr Slajus recognises he has a gambling problem, so much so that he has signed an exclusion notice with Coral and other bookmakers, asking them to throw him out if they find him on their premises.
"On February 5 he was allowed in to Coral and was there most of the day. At about 5pm a member of staff recognised him and asked him to leave."
Mr Todd added that Slajus, of Carlton Road, Boston, struck the fruit machine on his way out, breaking the glass cover.
Bill Miller, representing Slajus, pointed the finger of blame at the bookmaker.
He said: "He (Slajus) had been in the bookmaker's every day that week and was well known to the staff.
"He had previously signed a self-exclusion notice. But it wasn't until he had spent all his money that he was invited to leave.
"He lost 700 that week, feeding his addiction to fruit machines.
"Staff must have known he was there because when you win the machine doesn't hand you money but a bit of paper which you take to the counter to claim your winnings. He lost a lot of money, but he didn't lose every time."
Mr Miller added: "He was frustrated at being asked to leave. He threw a punch at the machine and broke the glass."
Slajus, who hopes to return to field work soon, pleaded guilty to causing the damage via a Russian interpreter.
He was fined 100 and ordered to pay 60 costs and the 15 victim surcharge.
Coral failed to indicate a valuation of the damage caused, so no compensation order was made.
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Weather for Boston, Lincolnshire
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 10 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 26 mph
Wind direction: North east
