Petrol drive-off charges denied

A Christchurch man is denying 30 charges alleging he drove off from service stations without paying for petrol.

Shane George Whittaker, 45 and unemployed, pleaded not guilty in Christchurch District Court today and was remanded to a status hearing on July 2.

Judge Colin Doherty remanded him in custody.

Police laid the charges after viewing petrol drive-offs on forecourt security video systems around the city.

They allege the videos showed a person filling a car as well as several 20-litre containers inside the car before driving off.

They believed four or five vehicles with alternative sets of registration plates were involved.

Whittaker also faces a charge of assaulting a man to get away after one of the alleged thefts.

- NZPA