Scunthorpe men stole red diesel from storage tank
Two men were spotted stealing red diesel from a storage tank at a farm and putting it in a van, a court heard.
Joseph Hague, 43, of Mary Street, Scunthorpe, admitted jointly with Christopher Holt stealing diesel belonging to Clifford Ellis, on July 6.
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Scunthorpe courthouse in Laneham Street
Rebecca Dolby, prosecuting, told North Lincolnshire magistrates that a witness spotted two men in a van at a farm in Hibaldstow.
She said one of them was holding a fuel nozzle and stealing red diesel from a storage tank.
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Miss Dolby said the men drove away, leaving diesel still spilling out of the storage tank and attempts were made to stop them.
The van's registration number was noted.
Vicky Lee, mitigating, said Hague went out with his friend and neighbour, Christopher Holt, but claimed he did not realise Holt intended to steal diesel until the last minute, when Holt asked him for some scissors to tamper with the storage tank.
Hague claimed Holt got back into the driver's seat of his van and told Hague to put fuel in its tank, said Miss Lee.
She claimed the diesel had been there a long time and that only a small amount was taken.
The actual amount stolen was not known.
Hague, an unemployed security guard, was given a one-year supervision order and was told to pay £100 costs.
At a hearing on July 31, Holt, 47, of Mary Street, Scunthorpe, was jailed for five months, including two months for the theft, after admitting other offences, including driving while disqualified.
He was also ordered to pay £300 compensation.
Comments
by MrDrizzle
Monday, August 20 2012, 2:24PM
“Not to condone this but to merely put things into perspective:
One chap steals some red diesel say at worst 100 litres so around 75 quid and gets 5 months (including some for other offences - probably minor).
Some woman (Telegraph story a while back) rips the government and tax payer for around 30 grand in false benefit claims and gets 250 or so hours community service.
Bonkers!!!”