A man who stole number plates which he sellotaped to his own vehicle before driving off without paying for fuel has been spared jail.

David Philpott, 57, of Bank House Farm, Cleator, admitted three separate charges of making off without payment and two separate charges of theft from a vehicle.

West Cumbria magistrates heard that on January 20, Philpott stole the number plates from Diane Howard’s car, which was parked at the Kings Arms pub in Penrith.

On February 17, Philpott got £55 worth of fuel at a garage in Cockermouth, while in his own vehicle with the stolen number plates, and drove off without paying.

Then on February 24 he did the same thing at the garage at Rheged, Penrith, this time driving off with £54 worth of fuel.

On the same day he filled up at a garage in Newport, Wales, and again drove off without paying for fuel worth £66.

On March 17, Philpott stole number plates, belonging to John Lloyd-Jones, while he was in Newport.

A week later he was stopped by police while driving on the A66 and arrested for all the offences.

Diane Jackson, prosecuting described the offending as “sophisticated” with “significant planning”.

Ryan Foley, defending, said the thefts were of low value and that Philpott had since been back to all three garages to pay for the fuel he had taken.

The court heard that Philpott owns a baguette and coffee shop in Wales and a bigger chain had moved next door which had affected his business.

His family decided to move to Cumbria and he had been travelling back and forth to Wales.

He had put the fuel in his vehicle to allow him drive between Wales and Cumbria because he had no means to pay for his travel.

A report read out in court by his probation officer said he had racked up £11,500 of credit card debt and did not want to admit his difficulties to his family.

Mr Foley said: “He is ashamed by his actions. He is no longer burying his head in the sand.”

Passing sentence, magistrate Mr Coulson said: “We are not sending you to custody today. We have taken into account your guilty plea.”

Philpott was handed an 18-month community order and must pay compensation of £42 to Diane Howard and £25 to John Lloyd-Jones.

He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and £85 victims surcharge.