A man has been jailed after stealing large quantities of fuel from Lancashire petrol stations.
Jonathon Lawrence, 24, made off without paying from forecourts in Lancashire, as well as Cheshire, West Yorkshire, and North Wales.
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.
Lawrence, of Feltwood Walk, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to making off without payment, driving without a licence and driving without insurance.
At Preston Crown Court Lawrence was jailed for 28 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.”
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