Serial petrol thief threatened garage staff with screwdriver

A MAN stole hundreds of pounds' worth of petrol from garages to sell on the black market, a court has heard.

- JASON EVANS Reporter

Gareth Neale used cloned number plates on cars as he visited a series of service stations where he filled up the tank and petrol cans before driving off without payment.

Cardiff Crown Court heard that the spree came to an end when Neale returned to a garage he had previously targeted and was recognised by staff and challenged. He responded by arming himself with a screwdriver and threatening the employees. One of the staff members was so affected by the incident he quit his job.

Charles Archer, prosecuting, told the court that in a two-week period in April and May this year, Neale stole more than £400 worth of petrol from garages in the Brynmawr and Blackwood area namely Chapel Garage, Hilltop Garage and Blackwood Service Station returning to some of the garages more than once.

The barrister said that, in total, the defendant carried out five separate thefts using two different cars fitted with cloned or fake plates.