November 5, 2021 1.00 pm This story is over 28 months old

Man faces jail for stealing over £10k of fuel from Lincolnshire council

He syphoned off fuel for a new car
| Photo: Adobe stock

A Grantham man has been warned to expect a custodial sentence after he admitted stealing ‘between £10,000 and £38,0000 of fuel’ from South Kesteven District Council over a five year period.

Leonard Frankish, 65, of Princess Drive, pleaded guilty to a single charge of theft from South Kesteven District Council when he appeared at Lincoln Crown Court on Friday.

The theft happened between December 1, 2015 and July 4, 2020.

Karen Walton, defending Frankish, asked for sentence to be adjourned for the preparation of a probation report and to prepare a basis of plea containing the value of fuel he accepted taking.

Miss Walton told the court it was likely that Frankish would accept a figure of over £10,000 but not as high as £38,000.

She added Frankish was also in a position to pay compensation.

“He is currently working full time as a sub-contractor, Miss Walton said. “His wife is working full time.”

Miss Walton said Frankish admitted syphoning off fuel after getting a new car. The circumstance of the theft have not yet been discussed in open court.

Michael Cranmer-Brown, prosecuting, told the court it was “perfectly plain” that Frankish had been engaged in a pattern of behaviour over a “good few years”.

Judge Simon Hirst agreed to adjourn the case for a further hearing at Lincoln Crown Court on December 15.

The Judge warned Frankish: “You have pleaded guilty to this offence.

“At the moment we don’t know the amount that you accept you have taken.

“Plainly what you have done passes the custodial threshold, the only issue is how long that will be or if that sentence can be suspended.”

Frankish was granted unconditional bail.