Poker Player Given Suspended Sentence for Stealing £700 Tournament Entry and Hotel Reservation

A poker player from Donaghcloney, Northern Ireland has been given a suspended jail term for stealing after he had taken money from a friend to buy an entry to the Irish Poker Open and a hotel room and not done so.

Cheap Scam

46-year-old William Brown was found guilty of stealing £700 he received for four nights accommodation in the City West Hotel, Dublin. He arranged to pick up the man on the day of the event to take him to Dublin but never showed up.

As is usually the case, the defendant pleaded mitigating circumstances in order to attain some sympathy. Brown’s barrister said:

“He did not set out to defraud this man, he had his own difficulties at the time. He was due to get married and the pressure got to him.”

He also pointed out that Brown is now able to return the £700.

“Restitution is now available and on the last occasion your worship stated that you would take a certain view if that was the case.”

District Judge Amanda Brady delivered a three-month custodial sentence but suspended it for 18 months if the money is returned.

Not a month seems to go by without some poker player being connected to a story about non-payment of debts. Some things just never change.