A MAN playing a pub fruit machine got upset because he was losing.

Blackburn magistrates heard Ali Ishtiaq punched the machine, causing £500 worth of damage.

And when police arrested and searched him he was in possession of two snap bags of cannabis.

Ishtiaq, 26, of Whalley New Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to criminal damage and possession of cannabis. He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £250 compensation.

Richard Greenhough, prosecuting, said Ishtiaq was in the Postal Order on Darwen Street with two other men.

They had been drinking and playing the bandit and at some stage the defendant punched the machine, smashing the glass screen.

Shohib Afzal, defending, said his client had lost money and was upset.

“He hit the machine, not intending to damage it, but has to accept that was the result,” said Mr Afzal.