Punter Threatens to Burn Down Sportsbook

A DRUNK man threatened to burn down a Bridlington bookmaker's and verbally abused its staff after being told a winning bet he placed was void.

Michael Akaidere, 50, appeared before Bridlington Magistrates' Court last Wednesday to plead guilty to public disorder offences following the incident on November 22.

The court heard Akaidere, who is currently living temporarily at his daughter's house in Dewsbury, entered Bridlington's Betfred bookmaker's at about 2pm after previously being asked to leave the town's Ladbrookes shop because of his behaviour.

Speaking for the prosecution, Jayne Wilson said when a female manageress at Betfred told Akaidere she could not read the writing on his betting slip, he became verbally abusive and started shouting and swearing at her.

The woman, who was at the counter alone, rang the panic button but it did not work so she rang a male staff member who was upstairs having his lunch.

He came down and helped calm Akaidere down.

Akaidere apologised for his outburst and was allowed to place another bet, which he won.

He then placed a further bet which he believed entitled him to £30 in winnings, only to be told by the manageress it was void because the bet had been placed too late.

He began shouting and swearing again before kicking a chair over as he left the shop, saying: "I'm going to burn this place down. Your firm will regret this."

Akaidere then returned to the bookmaker's and handed a piece of paper to the manageress with a name and address on it, telling her she might as well have his details to give to the police so they knew who had set fire to the shop.

Akaidere had been drinking heavily all weekend and speaking in his defence, Ed Cunnah said there was never any intention to burn the shop down.

Mr Cunnah said: "He can't remember making any threats about damaging the shop.

"He told police he would not have burned the shop down.He didn't know why he gave her a piece of paper with a name and address on it, it was a made-up name and address.

"He admits he shouldn't have shouted and sworn and feels terrible and stupid for doing it."

Mr Cunnah added that Akaidere was "frustrated" about not receiving £30 he believed was owed to him.

Akaidere, who lives on disablilty benefits due to a prolapsed disc preventing him from working, was ordered to pay £75 compensation to the manageress, £75 in court costs and was given an 18-month conditional discharge.

Source: Bridlington Free Press