A FRUIT machine ‘bandit’ who was jailed after taking incriminating selfies on his mobile phone has now been ordered to hand over some of his ill-gotten gains.

Benjamin Robinson, 30, was jailed in April for his part in a conspiracy with two other men to steal thousands of pounds from gambling machines.

The gang’s activities came unstuck in June 2014 when a Vauxhall Insignia being driven by Robinson was stopped by police for speeding on the A65 near Skipton.

Officers found misshapen wire coat hangers hidden in the roof lining of the car as well as other tools for getting into fruit machines, and more than £1,000 in £1 coins.

Bradford Crown Court heard that Robinson’s phone also contained video footage of how to get cash from gambling machines and even a recording of an offence being committed.

Robinson, of Harrogate Road, Bradford, was jailed for 32 months after he admitted a charge of conspiracy to steal between January 2013 and June 2014.

His co-accused Daniel Hutchinson, 24, of Damon Avenue, Bradford, received a six-month jail term suspended for two years.

The court heard that Robinson had previous convictions for stealing from machines in various locations including the Midlands, East Anglia, the South West and the Isle of Wight.

During the period of the conspiracy Robinson, who was unemployed, had deposited more than £18,000 in a bank account.

Yesterday, Robinson was brought back to Bradford Crown Court for a further hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act legislation.

Prosecutor Alun Jones told Judge Colin Burn that Robinson’s benefit from criminal conduct had been assessed at £19,899.62, but his assets at present only amounted to £704.12.

Robinson signed a disclaimer allowing that sum to be handed over and Mr Jones pointed out that the Crown still had the power to ask for more money to be confiscated under the order if Robinson obtained further assets in the future.

At the end of the short hearing before Judge Burn, Robinson was taken back into custody to continue serving his prison sentence.

After Robinson’s sentencing in April, Detective Chief Inspector Matt Walker, of North Yorkshire Police, said: "These offenders carried out a string of crimes with no thought for the businesses they were targeting, but ultimately their greed, arrogance and affinity to selfies proved to be their downfall.”

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