A LABOURER was forced to live in the back of his works van with his one-year-old son after being thrown out by his parents, a court was told.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Darren Paul Bentley used the company fuel card to buy diesel and petrol, which he was selling to taxi drivers.

And in less than a month he used the card to the tune of £1,500 before his former bosses pulled the plug.

Bentley, 31, of Nicholas Street, Darwen, admitted four charges of obtaining property by deception and one of making off without payment. He asked for 32 offences to be taken into consideration.

He was bailed until January 20 by Blackburn magistrates for sentencing.

Sophie Lorimer, prosecuting, said Bentley had been employed by Transco and had the use of a Ford Transit van to get him to and from work. He was also trusted with a fuel card.

"Between October 15 and November 9 he used the card 36 times to buy diesel, petrol and lubricants," said Mrs Lorimer.

"It transpired that he had two large containers in the rear of the van which he was filling with fuel and selling to taxi drivers in Darwen."

Clare Knight, defending, said Bentley had worked for Transco for three years. In July his partner ended their relationship and decided she didn't want to look after their child.

"He was desperate to have the child with him which he managed while living with his parents," said Mrs Knight.

"However, because of the attentions of his former partner, his parents were not prepared to leave him in the house while they went on holiday.

"As a consequence he and his one year old son were living in the back of the Transit van, he was unable to go to work and he used the card to by fuel and sell it on to raise money."