A JOBLESS man who came to the Isle of Wight with his children and grandad and frittered away all their holiday money on booze and gambling, tried to retrieve his losses by breaking into a fruit machine.  

Robert Bernal-Soria, of Coriander Crescent, Guildford, admitted theft and causing criminal damage, at Lower Hyde Holiday Park, Shanklin, on April 7, at the Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court.

The bench heard how the 41-year-old had spent the family's holiday funds at the bar and playing a fruit machine, on the first night of their holiday.

The park's manager watched Bernal-Soria on CCTV "lingering" around the fruit machine late that evening, leaving the building and returning a couple of minutes later, said Leah Dillon, prosecuting.

Bernal-Soria then used screwdrivers to break into a fruit machine.

Security challenged and detained him, finding £136 in change and two screwdrivers on his person.

When arrested, he told the police he needed the money.

Bernal-Soria has 18 previous convictions for 41 offences, of which 17 were for theft. 

For Bernal-Soria, Amy Hosell said her client had been drinking for "a number of hours" on the first night of the family's holiday and spent all their money.

"When he has been drinking and gambling, the two don't work well together," said Miss Hosell.

"Having lost all the holiday money on the very first night, that's when he decided to try to get the money back. It wasn't planned.

"He's a man who normally puts his children first, but made a very bad decision on that day, partly due to being intoxicated."

Bernal-Soria had also been struggling with the loss of his mother and other family issues.

When sentencing Bernal-Soria, presiding magistrate Gordon Cooper told him he came very close to be being jailed, adding: "It's not the sort of thing your children need to see in any way, shape or form."

Bernal-Soria was handed 18-months' probation, which included an order to do 180 hours' unpaid work, with £85 costs, a £114 surcharge and £50 compensation for the damage caused.