THE estranged husband of Big Brother star Jennifer Clark stole a 4×4’s licence plates and used them to make off from a garage without paying for his petrol.
David Clark took the plates from a Suzuki Grand Vitara parked in a Somerfield car park, in Langley Moor, near Durham, on Thursday, July 24.
Later the same day, he filled up a blue MG soft-top bearing the stolen plates at Three Mile garage, in Meadowfield, before leaving without paying the £60.89 bill.
The 24-year-old admitted the offences during an appearance at Consett Magistrates’ Court today.
Clark’s ex-partner Jennifer, a part-time model, was evicted from the Channel 4 reality TV show after being involved in a love triangle with DJ Dale Howard and property developer Stuart Pilkington.
The former cocaine addict vowed to win her back but after leaving the Big Brother house, Ms Clark said she would like to date Mr Howard.
David Clark’s latest court appearance came a month after he admitted a spate of similar thefts totalling £1,000.
At Gateshead Magistrates’ Court, he admitted four thefts and asked for 16 others to be taken into consideration.
Clark narrowly escaped prison, being given a 12-month community order and ordered to complete 120 hours’ unpaid work.
Today, he admitted one charge of theft and one charge of dishonestly making off without paying.
Janet Coxon, prosecuting, said his fingerprints were found on the 4×4.
“He had no money and was desperate for fuel. He is sorry for wasting the court’s time.”
Susannah Hanson, for Clark, said he fully admitted the offences to the police and he has not re-offended since being sentenced in August.
Magistrates ordered Clark to pay £60.89 for the petrol, £18 for the licence plates and £43 court costs.
Clark, of Co-Operative Street, in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, was also given a 12-month conditional discharge.
Estranged husband of Big Brother star in court (From The Northern Echo)
