AN Ilminster man who was arrested for offences of bilking and stealing some car accessories told the police: “I’m not the villain of the year am I?”

Daniel James Box filled up with fuel on two separate occasions at petrol stations in the town and then drove off without paying for it.

Another time he was spotted helping himself to some items from the Tesco store and was apprehended after leaving the building.

Box, 23, of The Mead, pleaded guilty to making off without paying for petrol worth £62.87 on April 1 and another similar offence on April 19th involving fuel worth £62.90.

He also admitted the theft of a bottle of T-Cut, a packet of polishing cloths and a packet of screen wipes valued at £9 belonging to Tesco on June 24 when he was brought before Somerset Magistrates in custody.

Dafydd Paxton, prosecuting, told the court at Yeovil that after stealing the fuel on two occasions the defendant then committed an offence of shoplifting.

“He was apprehended by staff outside the Tesco store after being viewed on CCTV,” he said.

“During interview he admitted the theft saying “I’m not villain of the year am I?

Defending solicitor Greg Peters said that Box lost his job and accommodation which led to him using heroin and in turn committed the offences.

“However there is now light at the end of the tunnel as he has secured a job and accommodation at the Wyvern Motor Company and his use of heroin has now stopped,” he said.

“He was ashamed of his actions and hates himself for doing what he did.”

The magistrates sentenced Box to a 12 month community order with a 30 day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement.

He was also ordered to pay a total of £125.7 compensation for the stolen fuel and a £180 court charge and £60 victim surcharge.