Man jailed for fuel thefts in Nelson and across Lancashire

A man has been jailed after stealing thousands of pounds worth of fuel from stations across Lancashire.

Jonathon Lawrence, 24, made off without paying from forecourts in Lancashire, Cheshire, West Yorkshire, and North Wales.

His victims included a station in Nelson, and in total he stole more than £4,200 worth of fuel from petrol stations.

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.

Jonathon Lawrence was caught on CCTV (Image: Lancashire Police)

Lawrence, of Feltwood Walk, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to making off without payment, driving without a licence and driving without insurance.

On May 21, at Preston Crown Court, Lawrence was jailed for two years and four 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.”