He was unable to pay and told staff that his wife had just had a baby and he left his wallet in the maternity ward
by Court Reporter July 7, 2024
A man who left a fake name with a service station after failing to pay for his fuel has been sentenced to two months in prison.
Kieran Nigel Gordon (34), appeared before Craigavon Magistrates’ Court via videolink from Maghaberry on Friday, charged with fraud by false representation.
The court was told Gordon had entered a guilty plea to the charge on the Tuesday prior.
The incident occurred on June 28 last year, when Gordon put £20 of fuel into his car at a petrol station in Donaghcloney.
He was unable to pay and told staff that his wife had just had a baby and he left his wallet in the maternity ward.
He gave his name as ‘Mark Smith’, completing an inability to pay form and leaving a contact number.
There were a series of texts between him and a member of staff, with him saying “do as you wish, this isn’t a drive off” and “proofs of payment attached, I consider this civil matter closed”.
The defendant was subsequently prosecuted for the false name, despite eventually paying for the fuel.
A defence lawyer told the court that Gordon had recently been dealt with in a sentencing matter for five cases, with one matter also outstanding.
He said that Gordon was due to be released on August 8 and would have a suspended sentence hanging over him upon release.
“Although it was a false name it was the right phone number and that was how they were able to get in touch with him,” he said.
“He’s got a record for that and he’s in custody for that reason because this is the type of thing that he’s engaged in.”
District Judge Ranaghan sentenced Gordon to two months in prison, concurrent with his current sentence.
by columboscoat
8 comments
I did this too, but messed up, i panicked and gave the wifes name
but forgot to do the voice.
All that stupidity to get 20 quid of fuel.
I accidentally drove off without paying for £50 fuel before and didn’t learn about it until months afterwards when I got a letter through the door, so I paid it and that was that.
Badly played himself.
He also once faked a kidnapping for £10k and stole £50k worth of electrical goods. Serial fraudster.
Would love to know which petrol station this is in donaghcloney. A certain establishment in the area are quite happy to pay no tax and vat
Clearly this guy has a history
Does this really justify a jail sentence otherwise?
Two months and a criminal record for 20 quid of fuel? Was that really worth it? Come on bruh…
It’s either he’s done this before and is way too comfortable with it or he’s stupid…
He was sentenced to 2 months to run concurrent to his current sentence – am I right in thinking that means no punishment at all for this conviction? Not exactly a deterrent.