Branksome Tesco contaminated fuel: Jeffrey Wheeler found not guilty

The petrol station was forced to close for nearly two months while investigations were carried out

A man has been found not guilty of contaminating fuel which caused dozens of Dorset Tesco petrol station customers to break down.

Prosecutors at Basildon Crown Court had claimed Jeffrey Wheeler stole diesel from a Tesco store in Essex, replacing it with contaminated fuel.

After his acquittal, Mr Wheeler said it was proof "the little man can win".

Customers at Tesco in Branksome, Poole, complained of engine problems after filling up there in September 2014.

The defence claimed the half-hour window during which the contaminated the fuel was allegedly contaminated was not long enough for the contaminant to be pumped in.

Tesco's petrol station in Branksome was forced to shut for nearly two months while investigations were carried out.

At the time, customers complained of damage running into thousands of pounds being done to their vehicles after filling up with diesel.

Mr Wheeler, 57, of Atherstone Road, Canvey Island, Essex, was cleared of one count of theft and one of fraud.