Diesel thief targeted County Durham business nine times
Date of alert:
Sunday, 29 May 2022
Crime Ref:
Force:
Durham Constabulary
A BRAZEN diesel thief has been handed a hefty fine and a suspended prison sentence after targeting the same County Durham business nine times in the space of three months – taking hundreds of litres of fuel over that timeframe.
David Anthony Bellerby, 40, of Victoria Street, Shotton Colliery, broke in at fruit and vegetable wholesalers, Holcrofts, in Peterlee, on a burglary spree that began in February 2022.
Starting on February 5, 2022, Bellerby trespassed on the company's property on Winchester Drive, Peterlee, where he stole cash and a building key worth £300.
He then stole an ‘unknown quantity’ of diesel on April 5, April 6, April 9, April 15 and April 30 – to which the financial gain is unknown, according to court documents.
Bellerby also stole eight 20 litres of diesel on April 22 and a further 20 drums of 20 litre diesel on April 23 – again, the financial gain was unknown.
In total, he was charged with nine separate offences, which he pleaded guilty to all nine.
