A MAN has admitted trying to fit a skimming device to one of the busiest bank cash machines in a county.

Alexandru-Ciprian Noghita was caught almost red-handed after a member of the public reported suspicious activity at the Barclays Bank ATM in Durham city centre, in broad daylight on a Sunday afternoon.

Durham Crown Court was told that Noghita was arrested by police summoned to the Market Place branch, on March 17.

The ATM itself was found to have been damaged with its anti-skimming device removed, although no money was unlawfully obtained.

Among the articles recovered by the officers were a plastic fascia with a small camera attachment, a silver razor blade, a credit card-sized metal plate and a screw driver-type instrument.

Noghita appeared at the court on Friday (May 31) facing three charges stemming from the incident.

Speaking via a Romanian interpreter, 23-year-old Noghita, of Cressex Road, High Wycombe, in Buckinghamshire, admitted possessing articles for use, or in connection with fraud and damaging property, relating to the Barclays’ atm.

He denied a charge of theft of an anti-skimming device from the machine.

Thirty-year-old Petrica Cobzariu, also of Cressex Road, High Wycombe, who was also arrested on March 17, pleaded not guilty to the three same charges.

John Gillette, prosecuting, said: “The pleas have been reviewed, and, as far as Mr Noghita is concerned, they are acceptable.

“But, there will have to be a trial in the case of Mr Cabzariu.”

Katherine Dunn, for Noghita, said: “He’s in custody and is fully aware there’s only one sentence that can be imposed. He just wants to start serving his time as soon as possible.”

Mr Cazariu was remanded in custody pending his trial on July 3. Noghita will be sentenced following the trial.