Two men are in custody today accused of stealing cash from condom machines in alleged raids at three Ipswich pubs.

Bradley Shipp and John Gill have denied targeting the Oyster Reach at Wherstead, and Coleman’s and the Royal George in Ipswich, over a four-hour period on Monday afternoon.

The total cost of the raids in damage and stolen money is said to be �2,500.

Prosecutor Emma Howson told South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court yesterday that the duo allegedly used a crowbar to rip the vending units from the walls of the men’s toilets.

The same tool was then apparently used to prize open the machines to access the cash.

It is unclear how much was taken from each machine, but Mrs Howson said the total cost – including damage and cash taken – was �2,500.

She said �150 was recovered by police.

The pair had been arrested on a bus in Colchester Road shortly after 4pm on Monday, it was claimed.

Shipp, 23, of Duncan Road, Southsea, Hampshire and Gill, 20, of Hoppers Road, London, both denied three charges of theft.

They were denied bail and remanded in custody until their next appearance at the Ipswich court, which will be via video-link on Monday.

Police said the first raid was around noon at the Oyster Reach on Bourne Hill, on the outskirts of Ipswich.

Coleman’s in Great Colman Street was allegedly targeted at around 2.30pm.

The Royal George pub in Colchester Road was allegedly hit at about 3.40pm.