A Keighley student fitted false plates on his car, filled up with petrol at Skipton Tesco and made off without paying, a court heard.

Shakeeb Akram, 18, was acting totally out of character and had put his future education at risk as a result of his actions, Skipton Magistrates heard on Friday.

He was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £25.01 compensation to Tesco and £85 costs. The court was told that Akram had been seen in Carleton Road, Skipton, on May 3, changing the registration plates on his car.

The witness had been suspicious and reported what he had seen to the police.

A short while later, Akram drove his black Corsa into the Tesco filling station, in Keighley Road, put £25.01 of petrol into his car and drove off without paying. The station attendant passed the car details on to the police and Akram was stopped a short while later.

Prosecuting, Caroline Midgley said a search of the car revealed the proper set of registration plates. She said Akram told police that the car belonged to his parents and admitted buying false plates and driving to Skipton with friends.

Akram, of Ada Street, who pleaded guilty to making off without paying and the fraudulent use of a registration plate, was an A-level student who planned to go to university to study accountancy or law, the court was told. In mitigation, Sajad Chaudhury said Akram could not explain why he had done what he did and was thoroughly ashamed. “As a result of his actions, he has put a big obstacle in the path of his career, only he can explain why he decided to do this, he is very embarrassed and very remorseful.”

Magistrates paid tribute to the witness and asked that he be sent a letter of thanks.

Source [Keighley News]