17 years' jail for rail cable thieves

Three men who caused repeated disruption to rail services in Kent after stealing live cable from railway tracks have been jailed for a total of 17 years.

Peter Penn (49) and Peter Taylor (53), both of Church Field, Snodland and Stuart Smith (27) also of Snodland, appeared at Maidstone Crown Court on Thursday, 25 June, charged with conspiracy to steal and damaging property being reckless as to whether life would be endangered.

Penn was sentenced to five years’ prison while Taylor and Smith were each imprisoned for six years.

The court was told the men’s thieving activities in over 20 separate incidents between December 2007 and August 2008 resulted in extensive delays and disruption to train services.

The group targeted railway lines between Maidstone and Strood and Rochester to Sole Street, cutting live cable from the tracks and causing damage to critical railway signalling.

DC Leigh Marshall, one of the investigating officers, said: "Not only did this group risk their lives by pulling live cable from the tracks but for very little financial gain they caused untold misery to thousands of commuters.

“The cost to Network Rail in terms of repairs and materials was estimated at £65,000 and the cost in terms of disruption and loss of service was estimated at £159,000.”

Smith was arrested on 1 February after his vehicle was recognised as one which had been seen at a location where cable was stolen on 28 January.

Penn and Taylor were also arrested on 1 February after they were recognised and identified from CCTV, which showed them as being at a location where cable was subsequently stolen.

In the final incident on Friday 1 August 2008, signalling cables were cut near to Snodland station, disabling a level crossing and causing heavy disruption to local traffic and train services.

Attending British Transport Police officers found a bonfire site nearby, along with discarded cable and a shirt. Peter Penn was stopped by officers on a nearby footpath, bare-chested, dirty and sweating.

Penn was arrested, with a positive DNA match from the shirt seized from the bonfire site confirming his involvement in the theft. He was subsequently charged, remanded in custody and later pleaded guilty to both charges.

Taylor and Smith were charged and pleaded not guilty, with a jury later finding the two men guilty on both counts.

DC Marshall said: "This group’s criminality had a direct impact on services and the ability of the railways to fully operate. For very little financial gain they inconvenienced many people and caused a financial impact on the railways of over £200,000.

“Cable theft such as this causes great inconvenience to train operators and passengers alike. In this instance, the thefts caused significant delays to services which no doubt affected a great deal of passengers.

“Stealing cable also puts those responsible in great personal danger of electrical shock and being struck by a passing train – those who trespass on to the railway to steal cable are not just risking a prison sentence, they’re risking their lives.”

Andrew Munden, Network Rail’s route director for Kent, added: "We are delighted the BTP has been successful in bringing them to justice and that the court has recognised the seriousness of the crime in the sentences which have been passed.

“As well as causing major disruption the theft of equipment from the railway costs the industry millions of pounds each year - money which cannot then be spent on improving services for passengers.

“In partnership with the charity Crimestoppers we are offering a reward of up to £1,000 to anyone who helps bring about convictions of these selfish thieves who are bringing misery to many hundreds of rail passengers."

Jon Hay-Campbell, Customer Services spokesperson for Southeastern Trains said: “We’re pleased the seriousness of this crime has been reflected in prison sentences. As well as being costly, train service disruption is always frustrating for passengers and has an impact on their families, friends and work colleagues too.”

In sentencing the group, Judge Martin Joy commented that society cannot tolerate attacks on an essential service to the public and the sentence was to deter others and protect the public

After sentencing, DC Marshall said: "It is pleasing that the court has imposed jail terms to reflect the severity of the offences and to act as a deterrent to others from being involved in cable crime."