Fraudster stole £18k of fuel

ADISHONEST double glazing salesman bought £18,000 of fuel – and got away without paying a penny.

John Glover, 33, was sacked by his employers for being a useless salesman.

But he carried on driving around Torbay and Teignbridge, filling up his car at the expense of his ex employers, a court heard.

He used company fuel cards to buy petrol for himself and to sell it on the black market to pay off his drug debts.

His behaviour was so serious and prolific that he almost drove one family-owned petrol station out of business.

The defendant, of Kents Road, Torquay, appeared at Exeter Crown Court after admitting three charges of fraud by false representation; seven making off without payment and nine further offences to be taken into consideration.

The judge warned him he could be sent to jail and even his own lawyer branded him a ‘hopeless fraudster’.

Prosecutor Gordon Richings said the offences took place over several months in the sum- mer. He was working for Everest when the company noticed he was not selling any windows.

He was sacked but he carried on using the fuel card and totted up a bill of £1,241.

He then found a job at Anglia Home Improvements and in an 18-day petrol-buying spree filled up to the tune of £2,310.

Glover then used a card belonging to Coastal Windows Ltd to help himself to £12,500 of fuel.

The manager of Aller Vale Garage in Kingskerswell said his antics almost drove the

MP Kevin Foster donates wine, signed by Teresa May, to Tim Dickinson with Rob Newman and Rev John Beckett from St Matthias small family-run filling station out of business.

The court was told most of the offending happened after police had spoken to Glover and bailed him.

He carried on driving around in his Ford Fiesta and filling up fuel cannisters which he carried in the boot. He would then motor off without paying.

The victims included Marldon Service Station; Abbey Service Station in Torquay; Parkfield in Newton Abbot; Sainsbury’s in Torquay and Tesco in Teignmuth.

He told police he had a drug debt due to his cocaine addiction and stole diesel with the intention of selling it to raise money.

The defendant has a previous conviction for stealing £1,200 from the safe of his employer and ABH.

Brian Fitzherbert, mitigating, said: “It was complete desperation.

“He was a hopeless fraudster.”

Sentence was adjourned to check claims the defendant made to the judge.

He was remanded in custody until October 4.