Ship's 'refit delayed' after thief stole diesel

COURT HEARS DIESEL THEFT FROM HMNB DEVONPORT HAD IMPACT ON SHIP

- CARL EVE

A COURT has heard that a multimillion-pound refit of HMS Bulwark was delayed by three days after £24,000 worth of red diesel was stolen from a generator at HMNB Devonport.

Lee Mann, of York Road, Plymouth, was detained by Ministry of Defence Police following an inquiry which examined the suspected loss of red diesel during 2021.

At the time it was claimed that a large quantity of it had gone missing from generators used to supply power to HMS Bulwark, a 19,560-tonne assault ship. One national publication alleged in its front page story that more than £250,000 had gone missing, although at the time the amount was never confirmed by the Ministry of Defence, nor Babcock International. The Ministry of Defence did later confirm it had carried out an inquiry into an "alleged theft of fuel from a contractor within HMNB Devonport"

Mann, aged 35, was later charged and appeared at Plymouth Magistrates' Court to face five counts of theft of red diesel belonging to Babcock International. He was accused of taking £5,219.10 of fuel on July 12, 2021; £5,202.90 on August 3, 2021; £5,096.70 on August 16, 2021; £5,096.70 on August 17, 2021; and £4,069.80 on September 3, 2021. The estimated amount of red diesel Mann is alleged to have stolen totals £24,685.20. He denied the offences and was set to face a three-day trial.