A MAN who failed to pay for diesel because he had 'forgotten his wallet' has been banned from driving by magistrates.

Christopher Scott Miller, 20, appeared at Darlington Magistrates’ Court where he pleaded guilty to a charge of driving without a licence, driving without insurance and making off without payment from a petrol station.

The court heard that Miller, of Ajax Street, Darlington, had gone to the Snax 24 petrol station in Albert Street, Darlington, on January 15 and filled his Volvo with £69.01 of diesel before driving off without paying.

Robert Moore, prosecuting, said Miller told police he had forgotten his wallet, but had made no attempt to make payment or explain the situation to staff at the petrol station and drove away.

Miller was stopped by police in Hercules Street on January 19 and tried to run away, but was caught by officers a short time later. He was found not to have a valid driving licence or insurance for the car, which he had bought a few days earlier.

Nick Woodhouse, mitigating, said Miller had gone to the petrol station intending to pay for his fuel but had panicked when he realised he did not have his wallet.

Magistrates fined Miller £200 and ordered him to pay compensation of £69.01 for the fuel. He was also fined £200 for driving without insurance and had six points added to his licence. As he already had six points, he was disqualified from driving for nine months under the totting up procedure.