Metal thief caught at sub station is jailed

A metal thief who risked residents' lives when he stole copper earth rods from two Black Country electricity sub-stations has been jailed.

Unemployed forklift truck driver Scott Smith, aged 32, told police who caught him red-handed: "They rip me off every single day with my electricity, why not rip them off?"

Smith was jailed for 18 months for trying to cash in on scrap metal prices, which have risen again as the world emerges from recession. He and another man were seen walking near a sub-station.

A neighbour became suspicious after spotting the pair at Kirkstone Way, Brierley Hill. Both men were walking dogs before Smith handed his to the other man and clambered over the sub-station gates at around noon on February 24.

Police arrived as Smith was leaving and they found a chisel, boltcutters the copper earth rod and seven padlocks and key sets.

When they searched his home, they found another copper rod which he admitted taking two days earlier from a sub station in Eastern Avenue.

Smith, of Booth Court, Lower Derry Street, Brierley Hill, admitted two charges of theft and one of criminal damage with reckless endangerment of life.

Mr Howard Searle, prosecuting, told Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday the value of the stolen equipment and repairs was £1,425, but there was a risk that nearby properties could have been damaged.

Electricity company E.ON said thefts and damage at its sub-stations cost more than £1.3 million last year, and 650 sub stations in the region had been attacked.

In interview, Smith said he needed money for essentials for his flat, but did not want to steal from a member of the public.

Judge John Warner told Smith: "You made some rather stupid comments about electricity companies and whatever your view might be about the price of electricity, it can't justify stealing in the way that you did."

Mr Gurdeep Garcha, defending, said: "He recognises that this was the height of stupidity and he risked the lives of himself and others. The consequences could have been more serious and he could have been facing more serious allegations."