Teenager's takeaway binge fraud

The teenager ordered nine meals costing thousands of pounds

An unemployed Kent chef whose cheques bounced when he ordered nine Chinese takeaways at a cost of more than £3,500 has been sentenced for fraud.

Shane Wiggins, 19, from Canterbury, ordered the food for himself and friends over 12 days this year.

The teenager, who admitted the charge at a previous hearing before city magistrates, was given community work, a supervision order and fined £1,050.

He said it was because he had no money while his mother was in hospital.

The total value of the deliveries from The Lucky Star in Aylesham was £3,563.50.

The takeway said Wiggins' nine orders always included large amounts of crispy duck dishes and canned drinks.

It was for a good reason. I didn't have any money to buy food Shane Wiggins

Prosecuting, James Nichols, said: "He stated that he bought the food for him and his friends to consume.

"He admitted to writing the cheques knowing there were insufficient funds in his account."

Chairman of the bench Neil Hubbard told Wiggins he was "an immature person".

He said he had considered a report which indicated Wiggins was likely to have problems with financial management, relationships and emotional well-being.

Mr Hubbard said Wiggins knowingly defrauded local businesses and told him: "You need help. And we intend to address those problems with our sentence"

The teenager received a one-year community supervision order, 50 hours of unpaid community work, and was told to pay £1,000 in compensation, and £50 in costs.

After the hearing, Wiggins, of Lansdown Road, said: "It was for a good reason. I didn't have any money to buy food."