Sunderland man's one-year supermarket ban after fuel thefts

A Sunderland man has been banned from all Co-op and Sainsbury's stores for a year after driving off twice without paying for fuel.

By The Newsroom

Published 17th May 2016, 09:00 BST

Woman guilty of theft from her local communty centre

Gavin Ball, 28, took £30 of fuel from Sainsbury’s in Southwick on November 20, last year, followed by £97 of fuel from the Co-op in Cramlington, on February 6.

Prosecutor Paul Doney said that on both occasions Ball had tried to make a payment with a debit card, which was declined. He had also shouted abuse at a cashier on the first occasion.

Ball, of Hastings Street, Sunderland, pleaded guilty to two counts of making off without payment.

Ian Haq, defending, said: “He had a pre-paid card. He believed it had enough balance on it.

“His behaviour on the first occasion was down to feeling embarrassed at the way they were speaking to him in front of other customers.”

As well as his shop ban, Ball was given a 12-month community order and was told to pay £107 in compensation and £40 costs.