A student from Keighley, West Yorkshire, has admitted to fitting false number plates to his car, filling up with petrol at Skipton Tesco, then driving off without paying.
Shakeeb Akram, 18, was summoned to appear before Skipton Magistrates Court to account for his criminal actions and abnormal display of character, which had put his plans to study law or accounting at university in jepardy.
Akram was first spotted changing his number plates on May 3 by a passer-by, who reported the suspiscious behaviour to the police.
He then drove his Black Vauxhall Corsa to the petrol station and filled up with £25.01 of petrol, before driving away. The attendent on duty reported his number plate to the police and Akram was stopped soon after.
Caroline Midgley of the prosecution revealed that the correct number plates were found following a thorough search of the car, and how Akram had told police that the car belonged to his parents.
Akram pleaded guilty to leaving without paying and fraudulant use of a number plate. Following his admission, he was given a 12 month conditional discharge, forced to pay £85 in costs and £25.01 compensation to Tesco.
Sajad Chaudhury, working in his defence, told how he had no explanation for what he had done, but he was deeply sorry. “As a result of his actions, he has put a big obstacle in the path of his career, only he can explain why he decided to do this, he is very embarrassed and very remorseful.”
The magistrates concluded by giving their thanks to the witness involved.
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