Lorry driver obtained fuel by deception

HARD-up lorry driver Paul Fuller couldn t afford to pay for petrol to get to work — so he used his company credit card to fill up his own car with hundreds of pounds worth of fuel at Ely Service Station. And when Fuller was sacked by Bretts Transport in A

HARD-up lorry driver Paul Fuller couldn't afford to pay for petrol to get to work - so he used his company credit card to fill up his own car with hundreds of pounds worth of fuel at Ely Service Station.

And when Fuller was sacked by Bretts Transport in August, his scam came to light as his bosses realised that small amounts of fuel had been purchased on the card.

Fuller, 40, of Orchard Estate, Little Downham, was sacked by the Guyhirn transport company because of discrepancies on his tachograph readings, said prosecutor Francesca Devine.

"He had a company fuel card, specifically for filling his lorry with diesel on company business," she added. "After he was sacked, anomalies were seen on his fuel card record."

Between May 2 and August 4 he used the card on nine separate occasions, obtaining a total of £335.25 worth of fuel.

Fuller admitted evading liability for payment through deception, and admitted being in breach of a conditional discharge imposed earlier this year.

Mitigating, Claire Bennett said the offence was committed out of "financial desperation."

"He has been declared bankrupt in the past and still has significant debts, rent and Council Tax arrears," she said.

Fuller was ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid community work, and pay £335.25 compensation and £60 costs.