Young Scot blows thousands on online poker after stealing dad's cheque book

Young Scot blows thousands on online poker after stealing dad's cheque book

Monday, 31 May 2010

Poker is in the news for all the wrong reasons after a 21-year-old Scot forged his father's signature to cash cheques totalling £25k to fund his online poker habit.

Blair Robertson from Gourock in Scotland, gained access to the cheque book of his father's engineering firm and subsequently cashed cheques totalling £24,450 for holidays, a car and plenty of online poker.


Speaking to the Greenock Telegraph, Robertson said, “It was my dad's engineering company - I found the company cheque book and started forging cheques. I didn't think the money would be missed. I had 17 casino cards, and played online poker...I would bet £1,000 at a time”.


The 21-year-old pleaded guilty of fraud at Greenock Sheriff Court last week and was sentenced to 150 hours of community service.


Sheriff John Herald told Robertson that he was lucky to escape a custodial sentence.


He added, "This is a serious matter, not only because of the sums involved, but because it was a very serious breach of trust.


"I am told that you are cutting the grass and the car has been taken away, so you are already performing a personal form of community service to your father. I am going to extend that and you will also do 150 hours for the public."



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