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A GARDENER claims a petrol station is swindling motorists out of millions of pounds by selling short measures.

Richard Deakin, 57, said markings on his see-through jerry can showed he was half a litre short, despite the pump saying a full five litres had been dispensed.

 Richard first noticed his five-litre plastic jerry can was not full to the line four months ago
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Richard first noticed his five-litre plastic jerry can was not full to the line four months agoCredit: JCPA Ltd

When he complained, the cashier reduced the price and admitted the pump was not properly calibrated.

But Richard said he went on to use the Shell service station several more times — and has continued to be sold short.

He claims it has been going on for almost a year and videoed the last incident this week.

He said: “They immediately knocked £1.60 off. It was as though they knew what they were up to.

 Shell garage in Henfield, West Sussex, where the short measuring of fuel is said to have taken place
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Shell garage in Henfield, West Sussex, where the short measuring of fuel is said to have taken placeCredit: JCPA Ltd
 Richard believes the garage could be making millions
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Richard believes the garage could be making millionsCredit: JCPA Ltd
 The gardener, 57, has produced a receipt which shows the garage knocked £1.60 off the price of his petrol purchase
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The gardener, 57, has produced a receipt which shows the garage knocked £1.60 off the price of his petrol purchaseCredit: JCPA Ltd

“I have used three different pumps and they have all been under, sometimes by half a litre.

“I’ve tried to take it up with Trading Standards and Customs and Excise, but they’re not interested despite the loss of tax revenue. The garage could be making millions from this. It’s a swizz.”

The garage in Henfield, West Sussex, which sells unleaded at 131.9p per litre, claimed it had received no complaints.

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