Cork man threatened betting office staff over winnings row

A 54-year-old man threatened a member of staff at a betting office when he went to collect winnings, but was told that there were none, because he entered his bet too late.

Stephen Landa, of 22 Oakfield Green, Glanmire, County Cork, pleaded guilty at Cork District Court to a charge of engaging in threatening behaviour.

Sergeant John Dineen said, at Cork District Court, that on May 15 at Ladbrokes Shandon St, the defendant banged a Perspex screen on the counter and was enraged, shouting: “Give me the f***ing money now.”

He called the member of staff a bastard and said he would get him on the street, adding: “I know where you live”.

This went on for three to four minutes, before the panic alarm activated and the defendant left the premises, Sgt Dineen said.

Solicitor Frank Buttimer said the defendant overreacted in a situation where he believed he was entitled to collect winnings, but was told his bet had been lodged too late.

Judge John King said he would adjourn sentence until April 13, 2026, for a Garda behavioural report, on the basis that if he is not involved in any incident in the meantime, he will get two months, suspended for 12 months.

The judge warned that if he is involved in any criminal offence in the meantime, he will get a prison sentence next April.