A croupier defrauded a casino out of some £4,700 by paying a punter winnings he did not deserve, a court heard today.

Lee Madelin, aged 24, was working at the Castle Casino in Dudley when he paid out a total of £4,692 ‘winnings’ to 56-year-old Gurmail Heer who regularly bet there.

Wolverhampton Crown Court was told that Heer of Dudley Road, Goldthorn Hill, Wolverhampton, was also overpaid when he had won and would be given up to £40 worth of chips when he had only cashed in £20.

Madelin of Beechdene Grove, Erdington, Birmingham, was caught on CCTV.

Mr Simon Phillips, prosecuting, said: “Most of the money was repaid onto the tables again by Heer but it was clear that Madelin had been passing him chips and giving him credit he was not entitled to.”

The offences took place on four nights in May 2009.

Mr Paul Mytton, defending Madelin, said he admitted responsibility for the offence. Mr Balbir Singh, defending Heer, said: “This offence would plainly be caught on CCTV in the end. The cash was recycled at the table so the casino made no significant loss.”

Madelin and Heer were both given 26-week prison sentences suspended for two years. Madelin was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and has been disqualified from working in the gambling industry for seven years.

Heer must undergo supervision by the probation service for two years and is subject to a curfew between 7pm and 7am for three months. Madelin admitted fraud and Heer aiding and abetting fraud.