`Robbed' bus driver had debts of pounds 2,000; Defendant denies stealing cash.

Byline: ELWYN ROBERTS

A BUS driver with a large gambling debt told his bosses he was robbed at knife point as he stopped for passengers in a North Wales village.

But Peter York, who ran up debts after playing on bus depot one-armed bandits, pocketed the cash,Mold Crown Court was told yesterday.

York, 24,alleged he was robbed by two men who threatened him with a knife and forced him to hand over cash when he stopped at a bus stop at Bagillt,Flintshire.

Mark Roberts,prosecuting,claimed York was in financial difficulties, was warned about shortfalls in his takings,and invented the robbery story to prevent money being docked from his wages.

York, of Broughton Hall Road, Broughton, denies stealing pounds 97 from his employers, the First National Bus Company.

The jury heard he drove from Holywell to Chester on October 2 and reported a robbery following his return to Cheshire.

Licensee of the Boot and Ship Inn,SusanTravers,had not seen anything suspicious and a CCTV taken from the nearby Boot Garage ``did not seem to tally'' with the account York had given, the prosecution said.

Interviewed,York insisted he was robbed but said he did not report it straight away as he wanted to get back to Chester before doing so.

He admitted he was pounds 1,500 to pounds 2,000 in debt and spent up to pounds 20 a day playing the depot's bandit machines.

``The Crown say this was no robbery but that the defendant pocketed the money himself,'' said Mr Roberts.

Bus depot manager Patrick Reeson produced figures showing York had previously been short in his takings. But he agreed with Michael Wolfe,defending, that York was not the only one with shortfalls. He said he disciplined those who were pounds 10 or more short.

Mr Wolfe said there was nothing to indicate the robbery had not taken place - apart from the police officer's suspicion.

The trial continues today.

CAPTION(S):

Peter Yorke outside Mold Crown Court yesterday Picture: ANDREW PRICE