An Amazon delivery driver claimed he was “stitched up” by his employer after the firm took two van rental payments from his wages – totalling £500 – leaving him without the money for petrol.

Stephen Romain said he left two Morrisons’ petrol stations without paying for fuel so he could still work and provide for his family after the surprising extra cost.

The 34-year-old used the supermarket’s petrol station in Gravesend on July 24, when he put £110 worth of fuel in the vehicle.

He went into the garage to pay but his card was declined, so he filled in the promise to return to pay form given to him by staff. He returned to try and pay later but still did not have the funds.

A week later, on August 1, he filled up again at the garage in Sittingbourne, this time putting £109.60 of fuel in the tank.

He told staff he didn’t have his wallet to pay for the fuel, so the worker did checks on the firm’s registration system and realised this was the second time he had not paid. The police were called.

Romain, of Shepherd Street, Northfleet, was charged with two counts of making off without paying for fuel and when he appeared before magistrates in Maidstone on August 15, he pleaded guilty to the offences.

Christina Rowberry, prosecuting, said: “When officers attended he was still in the van and told them he’s not been paid and he needed to go to work and said, ‘nick me or don’t’.

“He told them he’d been five weeks without money and just needed a bit of fuel and then said he just didn’t care.

“He also told officers Morrisons had millions and he didn’t give a f*** and that he had to do what he had to do.”

Ms Rowberry also told magistrates Romain had previous convictions but nothing recent and the last matter he was in court for was in 2012 and was unrelated to the new offences.

He claimed he didn’t have any cash because Amazon charged £250 a week rent on the vehicle he was using and that they had taken out two weeks worth of rent, £500, in one go.

He claimed he had been stitched up by the firm and couldn’t pay for his fuel to do his rounds. As a result, he took the fuel as he was just trying to work to provide for his family.

They were also told Romain was embarrassed by the situation and accepted he was wrong but that he’d lost his temper when the police turned up. He had wanted to do the right thing to provide for his children.

The court was also told Romain now had a new job and was no longer working for Amazon.

Chairman of the bench Diane Chambers said: “We have heard you did make some attempt to pay, but your bank card was not up to it, we are being fairly lenient with you today.”

Magistrates fined Romain £40 for each offence and made him pay £109.60 compensation to the Sittingbourne garage as he was already being chased by bailiffs for the outstanding balance from the Gravesend one.

Romain was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £32.