Fuel thief admits to five other crimes

A MAN caught stealing fuel from a yard in Hartley Road confessed a further five crimes after he was arrested by police.

Michael Diamond, of Campion Crescent in Cranbrook, appeared at Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court on Tuesday charged with theft from a motor vehicle.

The court heard Diamond raided the Hurstway Construction yard in Cranbrook between November 25 and 28, stealing diesel worth more than £60. He was caught after officers matched his DNA from the crime scene.

In his defence Andrew Main said of Diamond: "Police told him he would be bailed unless he admitted other offences."

The court heard Diamond had weaned himself off heroin but had started using it again when his brother was released from jail.

The pair committed crimes together to fund their habit, stealing among other things lawn mowers and a hedge trimmer.

James Nichols, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said Diamond had admitted to police that he was responsible for stealing gardening equipment from properties in surrounding areas.

He said: "We are in the strange situation where the defendant is in court charged with theft to the value of just £60, while his other crimes which total more than £1,000 are being taken into consideration."

Magistrates ordered Diamond to pay £60 for the diesel but said he would not have to pay compensation for the five other offences.

He was sentenced to a 12-month community order and complete a six-month drug rehabilitation programme.