A Haverfordwest teenager has pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud by false representation and two of making off without payment.

Prosecutor Nick Newton told Haverfordwest magistrates court last Tuesday that James Watts had attended four petrol stations across the county last year, filling up his car with petrol before leaving without payment and in two cases making false representations.

The 18-year-old from North Farm, Spittal pleaded guilty to all four charges.

On November 22nd at Haverfordwest’s Tesco petrol station Watts filled his car with £50.25 of fuel and then told the garage staff he could not pay the amount. Watts signed a payment form fraudulently with his brother’s details before leaving and not returning to settle the payment.

Four days later he visited Letterston petrol station and filled up his car with £30 of fuel, he promised staff he would return with the payment and again failed to do so.

Just days later on November 29th Watts made a promise to pay the £35 fuel he had filled his car with at the Shell petrol station in Johnston. He left his mobile phone and bank card with staff and promised he would return with the money but never did.

Police then arrested Watts who admitted the three offences before being released on police bail.

However, while on bail, undeterred Watts’ crime spree continued and he committed a further offence of fraud by false representation at Bush Hill Services in Pembroke. Filling up his car with £40.02 of fuel he then promised staff his mother would return with payment. However, she was unaware of the situation and the 18-year-old was further arrested and interviewed.

The farm labourer blamed ‘financial difficulties’ and said he had gone about it the wrong way.

Watts was released on bail until his sentence hearing on January 27th.