A DUDLEY man who helped steal petrol worth more than £1,350 from garages across the Black Country has avoided jail.

Jamil Hart was a key member of a gang who filled up cans and canisters inside two vehicles bearing stolen registration plates.

On one occasion the gang even put the garage fuel pipe through the window of one of the vehicles to fill up one of the large canisters.

Hart, aged 19, was nabbed when he was recognised because of his distinctive bushy hair style and police were immediately alerted.

The Vauxhall car he had been driving was then found in the area and it was full of plastic drums ready for the stolen fuel, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

The teenager was quickly detained and when questioned by police officers he told them he needed money to live on because he could not survive on his benefits.

Jason Aris, prosecuting, told the court Hart said the stolen petrol was sold and the money was used to buy food.

Hart, of Chestnut Avenue, admitted conspiracy to steal and also handling the stolen registration plates Judge Nicholas Webb gave him a six month custodial sentence suspended for two years and ordered him to carry out 150 hours unpaid work in the community.

He further told Hart who had been held in custody for four days he must obey a three month curfew order between the hours of 7pm and 7am.

Jas Mann, for Hart, said his client had been in financial difficulties and he had foolishly involved himself in the conspiracy but he was now determined to put his life back onto the rails and make something of himself.

At an earlier hearing 21-year-old Jabhar Ahmed, of Thornhill Road, Quarry Bank, also pleaded guilty to the same two charges and dangerous driving.

He was given a 12 month jail term suspended for two years, placed on supervision for a year, told to carry out 180 hours unpaid work and banned from driving for two years.