A MOTORIST topped his van up with fuel from Carlisle’s Morrisons petrol station four times in 18 days — and left without paying on each occasion.

Eugene Sweeney, 39, found himself in even deeper water on his third visit as he was caught on camera using his phone while driving.

And Sweeney was also then charged with a sixth offence when he failed to attend court during early September to answer the fuel theft and illegal phone use charges.

When Sweeney was finally brought to Carlisle Magistrates’ Court in custody, he claimed not to have received his hearing summons due to a mix-up with post at his Low Harker address near the city.

Prosecutor Jackie Partington summarised Sweeney’s offending.

On May 7, 12, 20 and 25 he drove to the filling station off Kingstown Road and took fuel for his van in varying amounts between £14.05 and £25.01. “On each occasion he has left without making payment,” she told the Bench.

“The offences were covered on CCTV. And on May 20, whilst putting fuel in his vehicle, Mr Sweeney was on the phone but remained on his phone on leaving the forecourt.”

Sweeney admitted four counts of making off without payment, along with using a mobile phone while driving and failing to attend court on September 10.

“Every time I done it,” he said of the fuel thefts, “I had money in my pocket. I’ve been under that much stress since Christmas.

“I’m not going to deny what I have done is wrong. Pressure builds up,” he added of ongoing concerns for a family member’s welfare.

“I just had a lot going on in my life. You don’t know what pressure is like until you’re squashed into a corner.”

Had he meant to steal the fuel on purpose, he hypothesised with magistrates, “you would fill your van up or cover your face”. Yet he did neither during the four visits.

Sweeney added: “I am in the wrong for what I’ve done. I’m not denying it.”

Magistrates gave Sweeney a £200 fine, ordered him to pay £82.39 compensation to Morrisons and also imposed six penalty points on his driving licence.