An HGV driver who was stealing diesel from his employer was caught out by police when he went to collect fuel he had stowed in a lay-by.
Tomasz Kurzawski was discovered with four 20-litre barrels full of diesel, along with siphoning equipment, by a police officer who was monitoring a stretch of the A17 on February 8, Boston Magistrates’ Court was told.
He also found documents showing he worked for Browns Chilled Ltd in Bicker.
The 32-year-old initially said he had bought the fuel from another man, but later admitted stealing it when he drove the lorries and pleaded guilty to stealing from an employer between January 31 and February 7 when he appeared in court on Wednesday.
Phillipa Chatterton, defending, said he had only made the decision to take it as he and his family had been struggling for money.
She added: “Through various seasons, work is sporadic, and it is only on those occasions when he was finding it difficult to put enough diesel in his car to get to and from work that he took it.
“He is not proud of that fact.”
Prosecuting, Kate Hartley said Browns measured the fuel consumption on every journey made by drivers.
She added: “Fuel was removed from the HGVs on the occasions that he drove.”
Kurzawski, of Blue Gowt Lane, Pinchbeck, took fuel while he was working and stored it in barrels in a lay-by, before collecting it at the end of this shift, Ms Hartley told the court.
He had no previous convictions, either here or in his native Poland, before he committed this offence, the bench heard.
He was given a £300 fine, £30 surcharge, £85 costs and £248.40 compensation.