Train danger as duo try to steal signalling cable
Published on 17th May 2007 in News
When two thieves went looking for easy money to buy Christmas presents it wasn't festive lights they lit up, but all the red railway signalling lights on a stretch of line near Eggborough, a court heard on Monday.
The delays caused to freight trains between power stations cost thousands of pounds and it took two-and-a-half days for the system to be fully operational after part of the electrical signalling system was sawn through, said Mr Rob Galley, prosecuting before York Crown Court.
Judge James Spencer QC told the thieves, Sonny Smith (43) and Robert Sword (20): "It doesn't need me to tell anybody how potentially dangerous that is, whether it was a freight or passenger line."
Mr Galley told the court that the actions of Mr Sword, of Limetree Grove, Thorne, and Nr Smith, of Willow Crescent, Thorne, had cost the railway company £4,210, including a fine of £3,658 which had to be paid to Network Rail because of the delays caused.
He told how a company employee and spotted the two men on the railway near Southfield Crossing on April 13 and followed them. Shortly afterwards a problem with the signalling system showed up as all the lights automatically went to red for safety reasons.
It was discovered that the pair had used a hacksaw to cut through a copper signalling cable. They were arrested as they attempted to get back to their parked car.
Mr Smith, who pleaded guilty to attempted theft of the cabling, was sentenced to 12 months' custody and Mr Sword, who also admitted the charge, to 12 months in a Young Offenders' Institute. Both sentences were suspended for 12 months provided the two men successfully complete a 12-month supervision order.
Mr Michael Cane-Smith, for both men, said that they had carefully parked their car and then gone looking for scrap metal, first finding a short length of copper wire lying on the ground. However, they then noticed more wire sticking out of the ground and used the saw to cut it.
He said that the pair did not think that the wire was attached to the signalling system and when all the lights went out they threw away the saw and attempted to leave as discreetly as they could.
"I don't know the voltage running through these cables, but when the lights went out they could have been in some danger and they were shocked," said Mr Cane-Smith.
The court heard that the men had been looking to raise money for Christmas presents and not to spend on themselves.
Ordering that both men, who are on benefits, should pay £500 compensation, Judge Spencer, QC, said: "This is so serious, a message must be sent out to both of you and others tempted to do the same thing that a prison sentence is inevitable."