A MAN has admitted stealing diesel on six different occasions from garages in Basildon.

Lewis Sandat, of Rutland Road, Chelmsford, appeared before magistrates in Basildon charged with six counts of dishonestly making off without paying for diesel between January 12 and February 16.

He further admitted stealing almost £90 worth of food from a Co-op store in Stock Road, Billericay, on February 19.

The court heard that the 37-year-old had stolen 41.36 litres of diesel, amounting to £50, on January 19.

He also stole 52.98 litres of diesel, worth £65.11, from a petrol station in the town on January 30

Magistrates ordered him to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work, to pay a £85 victim surcharge and £85 costs to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Magistrates recognised Sandat’s guilty plea before imposing a sentence.

They ordered him to pay compensation to all garages for the different occasions of making off without payment.

Anyone with information about people stealing petrol from garages can call Essex Police on 101 or independent crime-fighting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Alternatively visit crimestoppers-uk.org to complete an anonymous online form.