Serial Northampton fuel thief filled up from five different forecourts before dashing without paying

Richard Hastings made off with more than £300 in fuel by filling up and driving off
A Northampton man filled up his car from six separate petrol stations before driving off without paying.A Northampton man filled up his car from six separate petrol stations before driving off without paying.
A Northampton man filled up his car from six separate petrol stations before driving off without paying.

A serial Northampton fuel thief felt he could fill up his car for free by driving away without paying on five separate occasions.

Richard Hastings, of Prentice Court, visited five different forecourts across the county over the course of four months to fill up on petrol.

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But after topping up, the 57-year-old would instead hop back in his car and dash without paying.

The string of thefts that took place as far Brackley, Rushden and Roade amounted to a total of £346.94 in stolen petrol.

The single largest haul took place in Moulton where Hastings made off with £112.82.

However, Northampton Magistrate's Court heard how the offending took place in 2019 and had taken nearly two years to be dealt with.

The 57-year-old was ordered to pay the full cost of all the fuel he had stolen to the petrol companies as compensation and was handed a 24 month conditional discharge.