Man jailed for stealing fuel from petrol stations
Jonathan Lawrence stole from forecourts across the North
A man has been jailed after stealing more than £4,200 worth of fuel from petrol stations.
Jonathon Lawrence, 24, made off without paying from forecourts in Lancashire, Cheshire, West Yorkshire, and North Wales.
He sometimes used vans which were specially adapted for theft, with fuel tanks and containers fitted in the back.
Lancashire Police launched an investigation into the fuel thefts, Lawrence having stolen from forecourts in Preston, Blackpool and Nelson in October, November, and December last year.
He was arrested in Preston in January this year.
Lawrence, of Feltwood Walk, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to making off without payment, driving without a licence and driving without insurance.
At Preston Crown Court this week (21st May) Lawrence was jailed for 28 months and banned from driving for 36 months.
PC Sasha Smith-Hooke of Preston Police, said: “Lawrence was prolific in making off from forecourts without paying for fuel in a number of locations.
“These offences involved several thousand pounds of petrol and diesel, with Lawrence deliberately targeting petrol stations and on occasions using specially adapted vehicles.
“I hope that the prison sentence given to Lawrence sends out a message that offences of this nature will not be tolerated.” Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.