Mercedes driver in £160 Shropshire fuel thefts 'was going to see sick mother'
A Mercedes driver who stole more than £160 of fuel from filling station forecourts in Shropshire told police he was having to make regular long journeys to see his terminally ill mother.
Simon McAllister used false number plates when he visited filling stations in Oswestry and Shrewsbury on three occasions last year, Telford Magistrates Court heard.
Ms Abigail Hall, prosecuting, told the court that on the first occasion he filled up his Mercedes at a Shell garage on the main A483/A5 at Oswestry, with £46.87 of diesel before driving away without paying.
A day later he went to an Esso garage in Meole Brace, Shrewsbury, and filled up the same vehicle with £60.60 worth of fuel. But again he drove off without making payment, the court heard. He returned to the Esso garage three days later and filled up the vehicle with £60.69 worth of fuel before driving away without paying.
The three thefts took place between August 29 and September 2 last year.
