A pair of fruit machine bandits have been jailed.
Rhys Stobbart and Kevin Skeleton carried out a string of raids on gambling machines across County Durham.
In one raid, Stobbart reportedly made off with just a pound.
At Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court, Stobbart and Skelton were jailed for 26 and 25 weeks respectively.
It comes just months after the pair were convicted of playing a role in a gang who stole cash from around 100 machines throughout the North East and Yorkshire.
Newcastle Crown Court heard how members of the "prolific" crime gang would distract pub staff before others used a skeleton key to loot the fruit machine.
They then fled the scene with the aid of a getaway driver. Over two years, it is estimated the gang made off with over £40,000.
While Skelton was jailed then for three months, Stobbart's 19-week sentence was suspended for two years.
However, both Stobbart, 25, and his 28-year-old accomplice are now both behind bars.
DI Gary Atkinson, from west CID at Durham Constabulary, said: “I hope that the conviction and sentence handed by the court gives a clear message that criminality of this nature will not be tolerated.”
Police launched an investigation last month following several thefts from gambling machines across the county, including Stanley and Chester-le-Street.
The victims sustained more than £3,000 in losses, as well as damage caused to the machines.
Stobbart, of Robertson Court, Chester-le-Street, was arrested and charged with stealing cash from the gaming machines, as well as breaching a criminal behaviour order imposed last September following the gang raids last September.
Skelton, of Lyne Close, Pelton, was charged with theft from gaming machines, theft from a shop, assault and breaching a criminal behaviour order.
Both admitted the charges last week.
