A fuel fraudster has been given a community order after failing to pay garages for fuel on seven occasions.

Kraige Parkes, of Bilberry Road, Ipswich, even told police after his arrest that he did not return to some petrol stations to pay because he “could not be a****”.

The 34-year-old pleaded guilty at South East Suffolk Magistrates Court to six charges of fraud by false representation and a further offence of making off without payment.

The frauds occurred between May 2014 and May 2015. The other offence happened on July 1 this year.

Prosecutor Nikki Miller told the court Parkes was caught after a security consultant for British Fuels noticed similarities between forms which had been signed stating money would be paid for fuel after the driver was unable to pay at the time of filling up.

Five incidents appeared to be linked. All gave Parkes correct name and address.

One of the declarations was made on May 8 and involved a Renault Clio which had gone to a garage in the Ranelagh Road area of Ipswich.

The locations of the other declarations included BP at Haughley, BP at Rougham Road in Bury St Edmunds, Shell near the Orwell Bridge, and Shell in Woodbridge.

The making off without payment offence also occurred at Shell near the Orwell Bridge.

Parkes was arrested on August 10 and made full admissions in his police interview, the court heard.

Mrs Miller said he told officers he had forgotten to go back to pay on the first occasion, failed to go back another time and then could not be a**** for the remainder.

Magistrates ordered Parkes to pay a total of £160.11 in compensation to the garages involved.

In addition to his community order he was ordered to undertake 200 hours of unpaid work.

Parkes was also told he must pay prosecution costs of £85, a victim surcharge of £60 and a criminal courts charge of 180.