A Hamilton man has been sentenced to 30 days in prison for theft after being caught red-handed siphoning gas out of a motorcycle.

Police officers monitoring CCTV cameras spotted Kim Knights, 28, of Harlem Heights, pull up alongside a parked motorcycle on Front Street, near Number One Shed.

After arriving at the scene to investigate, they discovered Knights had rigged a fuel line to the parked motorcycle, owned by Michael Davidson, and was siphoning gas into a clear plastic bottle. Police arrested Knights for theft and in searching his camouflage backpack found a hammer, black gloves, flashlight, crowbar, and two screwdrivers.

They charged Knights with a further count of possessing articles to be used in connection or execution of theft.

While in custody Knights became aggressive, prosecutor Carrington Mahoney told the court, telling officers to “f**k off” and ordering them to take him to his cell.

After being taken to the cell, Knights became even more aggressive and a struggle ensued. Knights was eventually tasered and subdued.

In Magistrates’ Court on Friday, Knights admitted to the charges of theft and possessing articles to be used in connection with theft. However, he denied the charge of assaulting a police officer while in execution of their duty.

The prosecution entered no evidence on the charge of assault.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner handed Knights two concurrent 30-day imprisonment sentences.