He was ‘dazed’ when he was eventually stopped by police but he refused to provide a saliva swipe for drug testing, a court heard
Aaron Swales admitted making off without paying for diesel(Image: Hull Live)
A hard-up motorist drove off from petrol stations six times without paying for diesel – after his girlfriend blocked his bank cards so that he could not withdraw cash to buy cocaine. Aaron Swales was “dazed” when he was eventually stopped by police but he refused to provide a saliva swipe for drug testing, Hull Crown Court heard.
Swales, 37, of Wansford Grove, off Marfleet Lane, east Hull, admitted six offences of making off without paying for diesel between July 30 last year and May 6. He also admitted failing to cooperate with a preliminary drug test on May 6 and harassing a woman by breaching a restraining order on March 5.
Natalie Dean, prosecuting, said that Swales went in a Nissan car to numerous BP garages in the Hull area and filled up with diesel before driving away and making no attempt to pay. The thefts included £60 on July 30 last year, £21 on October 1 last year, £30 on November 20, £25 on April 15, £10 on May 5 and £25 on May 6.
Swales was caught on May 6 after police followed him and detained him. “He appeared to be dazed,” said Miss Dean. He refused to provide a roadside drugs test saliva swipe.
The harassment offence happened after Swales breached a restraining order that had been imposed at Hull Crown Court on March 27, 2019. He contacted the woman on Facebook about their previous relationship, including sending four images of a child.
He also sent a voice message. “She blocked him,” said Miss Dean. He also sent a friend request on Snapchat but, during police interview, he denied this and claimed that he thought that the restraining order had expired.
Swales had convictions for 37 previous offences between 2005 and 2024, including 11 for drugs matters and others involving assault and public disorder. He had been given a two-year suspended prison sentence on February 27, 2024 for drug dealing and some of the latest offences were in breach of that.
Oliver Shipley, mitigating, said that Swales had shown genuine regret and he pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. “These offences are obviously regrettable, bearing in mind that some of them were within the currency of a suspended sentence,” said Mr Shipley.
The diesel theft offences were committed against the background of cocaine misuse. His girlfriend had blocked his bank cards so that he could not withdraw cash to buy cocaine.
The offences did not arise from greed. He was working as a self-employed plasterer and he was of modest means. The separate matter of contact with his ex-girlfriend was “misguided communication”.
Swales was given a six-month suspended prison sentence, six months’ drug rehabilitation and 25 days’ rehabilitation. He was fined £800.
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