A Blackpool casino manager has been convicted of rigging a machine to help a friend win.

Pierre Coulon, operations manager at the Paris Casino, pleaded guilty to stealing from his business partner and the casino by means of manipulating an electronic roulette wheel from a computer, enabling a friend to win £500.

Coulon was sentenced to 60 hours community service and ordered to pay £500 in compensation as well as a surcharge of £60. He was also stripped of his licence by the Gambling Commission.

The 61-year old said: Â"I am embarrassed. Everyone who knows me knows this is very much out of character.Â"

Coulon has worked in the casino business for 40 years but criminal defence solicitor Alan Cobain said: Â"He is a broken man. His career in the casino business is gone completely. He will never work in that industry again.Â"

Bruce Archer