A MAN switched his car number plates before stealing petrol from a Worcester garage.

Craig Robertson, 25, twice filled his car and drove away from petrol stations without paying. But the number plates he used were registered to his father’s address making it easy for police to trace him.

At Worcester Magistrates Court Robertson, of The Pool in Evesham, pleaded guilty to two counts of making off without payment.

Matt Dodson, prosecuting, told the court how Robertson had stolen £58.96 of petrol from Texaco in Lower Wick, Worcester, and £48.53 of petrol from BP in Blackpole Road, Worcester.

“In interview he stated he was short of money and intentionally left the forecourt without paying,” said Mr Dodson.

“He had actually switched the number plates in order to avoid being caught.”

Mark Sheward, defending, said Robertson had no previous convictions for acquisitive crimes.

“They were committed when he simply had no money to pay for petrol,” he said.

“Yes he changed the number plates, but the ones he used were registered to his father and thus him in any event.”

Robertson was ordered to pay a £330 fine, plus compensation to the garages and £85 court costs.