Thief raided BP petrol station in John’s Road, Tunbridge Wells, stealing motor oil and shopping baskets

A thief raided a petrol station with three unknown associates and stole more than £460 worth of goods – including motor oil and shopping baskets.

Steven Padley and the others passed the items from the BP garage in John’s Road, Tunbridge Wells.

Sevenoaks magistrates heard how the 44-year-old went to the business on July 21 and took the motor oil by putting it in bins and leaving.

He was identified and later arrested.

Padley, who previously lived on Cranwell Road in the town but is now of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to one charge of shoplifting when he appeared in court on December 18.

James Nichols, prosecuting, said: “There were three others and they stole all the items together.

“The combined value of the goods was £460.95 and the items were not recovered.

“This is an old offense and had he been in court in November when he pleaded guilty to similar offences, as he should have, it would have made no difference to the suspended sentence he was given then.”

Andrew Main, defending, told magistrates that Padley appeared in court on November 6 and was given a 26-week sentence suspended for 18 months, which involved him completing 20 rehabilitation sessions which will help him , also with mental health.

As a result, magistrates decided to place him on a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered him to pay £100 compensation to the garage as well as a £26 victim surcharge.