Casino cheats gain an entry in legal records

Detectives said the gang preyed on roulette tables, distracting dealers and fellow players so they could drop chips on winning numbers - after the ball had settled on the wheel.

Martin Kwong Lee, 42, Shuhal Miah, 36, and Martin Fitz, 45, would hide a stash of chips in their hand as the wheel was spinning, diverting a dealer's attention by asking for more tokens. With gaming staff distracted, they would wait for the ball to settle on a number and drop the chips in place. DC John Wedger said: "Theyused numerous identities to gain access to casinos to which they had nationally been banned."

They were found guilty at Middlesex Guildhall. Kwong Lee, of Mitcham, Surrey, was given a community punishment order and fined £170. Miah, of Bethnal Green, east London, received a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to forfeit £880. Fitz, of Hendon, north London, was given a community rehabilitation order.