According to Belgian news portal nieuwsblad.be, the thief was from the Mol region and was guilty of stealing fuel from trucks in the Turnhout area.
In one instance in September of last year, the man was part of a group that stole 200 litres of diesel from a lorry. Police managed to track down the car that was used in the theft, which led to the discovery of the criminal’s address. Plastic bottles filled with diesel were then found at his home.
It also came to light during the investigation that the same person had been responsible for stealing 480 litres of diesel from another haulier. In addition to that, he was found guilty of stealing a TV from an Aldi supermarket in his hometown, as well as two car batteries from a store in the town of Retie.
On top of all this, the man was found to be in the possession of illegal drugs.
Last week, the court sentenced the thief to a prison term of 15 months and a fine of €400. He must also pay the road transport companies he stole from compensation of over €5,700.