In a recent case in Burnie, a father experiencing homelessness resorted to fraudulent means to secure fuel for himself, ultimately taking advantage of stolen fuel cards to obtain over $70,000 worth of diesel from petrol stations across Tasmania.
Matthew Dale Perry, aged 35, admitted to 57 counts of fraud committed over a period spanning from November 2022 to June 2023. Perry’s dire circumstances, marked by episodes of sleeping on the streets or in abandoned buildings, led him to resort to such measures. His motive, as he confessed to the authorities, was to gain funds for stable accommodation and to provide for his children.
During sentencing, Supreme Court judge Tamara Jago detailed the extent of Perry’s actions. He had stolen a Bennett’s Petroleum card from Don College in Devonport, using it multiple times at unmanned stations in Cambridge and Bagdad, siphoning off a significant amount of diesel. This depletion even caused the tank at one station to run dry, triggering an investigation.
In another instance, Perry stole a fuel card from a van belonging to Spraoi Child Care and utilised it at a Cambridge station. Furthermore, he stole a fuel card issued to Treloar and Civil Quarries, employing it for fuel thefts at various locations.
CCTV footage captured Perry’s modus operandi, depicting him arriving at stations in either a ute towing a trailer or a white transit van fitted with tanks. He would then discreetly siphon fuel into these containers, often wearing attire to blend in as a legitimate customer.
Despite the severity of his actions, Perry’s circumstances seemed to have improved since the crimes were committed. He has since found accommodation at the Burnie Lodge, and there are indications of his life stabilising. Perry also appears determined to confront his drug issues.
In light of these factors, Perry was sentenced to a drug treatment order with a 10-month custody term, which he will only serve if he fails to comply with the conditions of the order.
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