Two game machine bandits from County Durham are now back behind bars after targeting premises in Leeds.
Rhys Stobbart, 27, and Kevin Skelton, 30, were jailed in 2020 after carrying out a string of raids in the North East. And in 2019, the duo were also dealt with for being part of a conspiracy which saw over £4,000 stolen from pubs and social clubs across Tyne and Wear, Durham, Yorkshire and Humberside over more than three years.
As part of their 2019 convictions, Stobbart and Skelton were subject to criminal behaviour orders (CBOs). But the pair were hauled back in front of a judge at Durham Crown Court last week after committing similar offences last year.
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Stobbart was also dealt with for carrying out an offence at the Apollo Bingo Hall, in, Durham, on July 12, last year, while serving a suspended sentence for driving offences.
Dr Chris Wood, prosecuting, said Stobbart smashed a slot machine and removed £400 in coins. He said Stobbart was also involved in other thefts from Quick Silver and the Viaduct Showbar, in Leeds, on October 20 and November 2 , last year.
Then on December 22, at around 2pm, Stobbart, Skelton and an unknown third man entered Walkabout, in Woodhouse Lane, Leeds. Dr Wood said while their accomplice distracted bar staff, Stobbart and Skelton forced open a fruit machine and removed money before leaving.
The three men were later spotted in a white BMW, with Stobbart at the wheel despite being banned from driving.
Dr Wood said Stobbart drove over the foot of an officer during the incident before the car was ditched. When Stobbart was arrested he was found in possession of a padlock, grips and £85 in coins taken from Walkabout earlier, the court heard.
At a previous hearing, Stobbart, of South View, Craghead, near Stanley, admitted four offences of theft, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, and assaulting an emergency worker, putting him in breach of both the suspended sentence and the CBO.
At the same hearing, Skelton, of Front Street, near Chester-le-Street, admitted theft and assaults on emergency workers, as well as the breach of the CBO. Judge Ray Singh jailed Stobbart for 34 months and handed Skelton a one-year prison sentence.
