Undercover cop nabs three card trick’ street gambler

A MAN running an illicit street gambling game in London’s East End landed in court today (Thursday) after being snared by an undercover cop. Romanian Vasile Cuilin was fined �415 including costs at Thames magistrates’ court where he admitted running a three disc’ trick in Whitechapel

A MAN running an illicit street gambling game in London’s East End landed in court today (Thursday) after being snared by an undercover cop.

Romanian Vasile Cuilin was fined �415 including costs at Thames magistrates’ court where he admitted running a three disc’ trick in Whitechapel.

The 41-year-old was spotted with an upturned bread crate on February 10 by a plain-clothes officer near a bus stop in Whitechapel Road, surrounded by five men.

One of the men was seen handing over cash to Ciulin to guess which of the three discs had a marker on it to win the gamble. Players usually fork out �20 a time to take part—but never win.

Ciulin’s lawyer told the district judge he lost his job as a construction worker and needed money to send home to his family in Rumania. He is paying off a previous �200 fine for a similar offence, the court heard.

The discs were confiscated and Ciulin was warned he faces jail if he turns up in court again.