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A mum who has driven off without paying for fuel 11 times has been warned she faces jail if she offends again.
Laura Morley has also missed multiple court dates amid her “bilking” spree at petrol stations across east Kent.
The 35-year-old pleaded guilty to swiping almost £750 worth of fuel over 28 months when she finally appeared before a judge this week.
Folkestone Magistrates’ Court heard the prolific petrol thief has led a “chaotic lifestyle” but now wants to “get her life back on track”, particularly as she has an eight-month-old baby to care for.
But Judge Nicola Fleck warned the former barmaid she will be sent to prison if she does not comply with probation or if she commits further offences ahead of sentencing.
Morley was charged with 11 counts of making off without paying for fuel between October 2022 and February this year, totalling £744.35.
The thefts occurred at forecourts across east Kent, including in Folkestone, Dover, Ashford and New Romney.
Nigel Numas, defending, told the judge Morley led a “chaotic lifestyle” and outlined why she had swerved two recent court appearances.
He said on March 14, she was staying at the Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone and “was ejected that day without notice with her eight-month-old baby”.
Morley then spent two days at a Travelodge before being moved to Sunny Lodge Guest House in Cheriton Road, Folkestone.
Mr Numas added: “On the second occasion [March 21], she had norovirus, both she and her baby, so she was not able to attend.
“But she handed herself in today and admits she did miss those days.”
Mr Numas says Morley is “willing to engage” and “wants to get her life on track”.
“Accommodation is an issue, and she has an eight-month-old, who the father has had for the day,” he added.
“Clearly, it is something hampering her life at the moment, and would hamper her baby if she were to go into custody.”
Morley’s first offence was committed on October 17, 2022, when she swiped fuel totalling £96.76.
And her most recent theft was £30.28 worth of diesel on February 24.
Morley, who cried and wiped her eyes with a tissue as she sat in the dock on Monday, told the judge: “Back when it first started, I wasn’t getting any Universal Credit.
“My ex-husband told them I was working on the side, but I wasn’t, so it caused a lot of problems.
“I had no money and had to get my children to school.”
Judge Fleck told Morley she had a “long period of non-compliance”, referring to her missing multiple previous magistrates’ hearings and court orders being issued.
“Your record of complying with probation, attending court and committing offences is not good at all,” she said.
“The Crown’s submission is that I should consider remanding you into custody or sending you to prison, which is a very sensible suggestion given your history of offending.”
Warning Morley any further offending would lead to a spell behind bars, the judge added: “If you come back in front of me, I will not adjourn it again.
“It is now completely and utterly up to you on how this moves forward, so you have to decide.”
Morley was released on conditional bail and must comply with the probation service and report to Folkestone police station twice a week.
She will be sentenced on May 9 at the same court.
“That concludes this case,” Judge Fleck said. “Over to you. You are free to go.”
KentOnline previously reported how Morley had swiped fuel from the Seabrook BP garage in Hythe twice in June 2023.
At the time, the court heard she had a problem with Universal Credit payments and was short of cash so had filled up without paying to get her children to school.
