A PROLIFIC thief has been locked up for a brazen spree of stealing fuel from petrol stations across the north west.

Jonathon Lawrence made off without paying after filling up from forecourts in Warrington, Widnes, north Wales, Lancashire and West Yorkshire.

Preston Crown Court heard how his illegal enterprise saw him pilfer more than £4,200 worth of fuel.

The 24-year-old struck three times in Warrington and once in Widnes, between August and September last year.

He twice targeted the Esso garage on Wilderspool Causeway on August 18 and September 11, stealing fuel worth a combined £209.28.

Lawrence also targeted a Tesco petrol station in the town on September 22, making off with £157.90 worth of fuel.

Expanding his thievery into Widnes, the defendant visited the Tesco garage on Ashley Gateway Retail Park on August 18 to steal fuel valued at £142.34.

The court heard how Lawrence sometimes used vans which were specially adapted for theft, with fuel tanks and containers fitted in the back.

Lancashire Police launched an investigation into the fuel thefts after Lawrence stole from forecourts in Preston, Blackpool and Nelson in October, November, and December last year.

He was arrested in Preston in January this year, with detectives linking him to identical offending in Cheshire and beyond.

Appearing before Preston Crown Court, Lawrence, of Feltwood Walk in Liverpool, pleaded guilty to numerous counts of making off without payment, driving without a licence and driving without insurance.

He was subsequently sentenced to 28 months immediate imprisonment and banned from driving for 36 months.

The sentence was welcomed by PC Sasha Smith-Hooke, of Lancashire Police working in Preston, who was involved in bringing Lawrence to justice.

She said: “Lawrence was prolific in making off from forecourts without paying for fuel in a number of locations.

“These offences involved several thousand pounds of petrol and diesel, with Lawrence deliberately targeting petrol stations and on occasions using specially adapted vehicles.

“I hope that the prison sentence given to Lawrence sends out a message that offences of this nature will not be tolerated.”