A Sri Lankan asylum seeker has appeared in court charged with an alleged card scam at a Langport cash point in Somerset, England.

Jasintkan Kunaskarem, 32, of Crown Road, Morden in Surrey, was brought before Somerset Magistrates at Yeovil in custody after being arrested by the police.

He was charged that on March 18 at Langport, he had in his possession or under his control a card tracking device or video recording device and two bank cards, for use in the course of or in connection with fraud.

Prosecutor Emma Lenanton said it was alleged that the defendant had been seen acting suspiciously near an ATM at the Natwest Bank on Cheapside in Langport when he was arrested.

Defending solicitor Michaela Rose said that her client was a registered asylum seeker who had been living in the UK for more than four years.

Any conviction could lead to his deportation.

Kunaskarem pleaded not guilty to the allegation and, following a review of the case, it was adjourned until July 22 when he must stand trial before the court at Yeovil.

In the meantime the magistrates agreed to release him on bail, on the condition that he is to ive and sleep at his home address, and to report to police three times a week.

The RBS Group, which ownes Natwest, has issued advice for customers using cash points.

A spokesman for the bank said: "Customers are advised to inspect machines for "anything unusual or suspicious", such as attachments to the card slot or keypad.

If an ATM has any such attachments, customers are advised to inform the police and branch staff.

In the event of a card becoming jammed or retained by the machine, customers should report this immediately, the bank said.
(Western Gazette)