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Joshua Spurling, from Dover, banned from driving after admitting string of offences, including drug-driving and making off without paying for fuel

05:00, 06 February 2023

updated: 15:40, 06 February 2023

A motorist who admitted a string of driving offences - including being over the drug-drive limit and filling up without paying - has been told by a judge this is his "last chance" to "sort" himself out.

Dad Joshua Spurling, from Dover, was given the warning when he appeared at Folkestone Magistrates Court.

Joshua Spurling admitted making off without payment from four petrol stations last year
Joshua Spurling admitted making off without payment from four petrol stations last year

During his appearance on January 25, the 29-year-old admitted driving an Audi A3 on the A2 in Dover on September 15 last year without insurance and while over the drug-drive limit.

The court heard when given a blood test he was found to have 94 microgrammes of Benzoylecognine per litre of blood. The legal limit is 50.

Spurling, of River, also admitted driving a Ford Focus in Rutherford Road, Ashford, without insurance on May 26 last year and had previously pleaded guilty to driving the Focus on the M2 at Faversham on March 29, the same year.

The court also heard he admitted making off without payment from four petrol stations last year.

He made off without paying £81.09 for fuel from a garage in Ramsgate in March and again in April when he stole £83.89 of fuel.

The judge told him "this is your last chance to sort yourself out"
The judge told him "this is your last chance to sort yourself out"

District Judge Justin Barron also heard he made off without paying for £81.70 of diesel in Dover in April last year, and during the same month made off from a garage in Ashford with £92.23 without paying.

While in the dock, Spurling also admitted failing to comply with a community order he'd been given by Margate Magistrates' Court in October last year, by failing to attend two appointments with probation officers.

He had been given the order after admitting another similar driving offence and was disqualified from driving at the same time.

Dylan Bradshaw prosecuting told the court the other offences had been carried out prior to Spurling being banned from the road.

The court also heard Spurling had started offending a few years ago when a 12-year relationship came to an end.

Judge Barron was told he had found the break up hard living away from his two children and his mental health had plummeted and that he began drinking and taking drugs to cope with life.

The judge also heard Spurling had little money and had begun taking fuel without paying for it so he could continue to get to work.

Judge Barron placed Spurling on a new 12 month community order and revoked the last one he was on.

This will see Spurling complete 120 hours of unpaid work and complete 20 rehabilitation sessions with probation.

He also disqualified him from driving for 12 months which will end around the same time as he other driving ban he was given last year.

He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £114 and £85 costs and compensation to all of the petrol stations he took fuel from.

Judge Barron said: "Don't drive and make sure you go to the probation appointments, this is your last chance to sort yourself out."

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