Hereford diesel thief in court after assaulting police officers

A DIESEL thief has been sentenced after assaulting two police officers, making off without payment for fuel, and causing criminal damage.

Simon Gates entered guilty pleas to two charges of assault by beating of an emergency worker, one charge of making off without making payment and one charge of criminal damage to property valued under £5,000 when he appeared before magistrates in Kidderminster.

The court heard from prosecutor Camila Toscano that the 39-year-old, who was represented by Vaughn Whistance, had assaulted police officers while they were on duty in Hereford on April 24.

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He had also made off with £79.59 of diesel.

On June 16, he then caused damage to a signature pad belonging to West Mercia Police.

Gates, of De Breos Court, Hay-on-Wye, was handed fines totalling £540, and must also pay compensation to the police of £289.90 and compensation to the fuel vendor of £79.59. He has also been ordered to pay prosecution costs of £85 and a £256 victim surcharge.