Railway thief put lives in danger
A heroin addict who tried to steal electricity equipment to sell as scrap metal could have killed herself or railway engineers, a court heard.
Emma Griffin, aged 34, was spotted breaking into a railway transformer unit with another drug addict at the south end of Hunsbury tunnel, in Northampton, last August.
Northampton Crown Court heard how they caused 5,000 damage by breaking through metal fencing intended for both security and safety.
Michael Waterfield, prosecuting, said: "The items she attempted to take were copper earthing mats attached to the railway transformers as safety devices, to allow the current to be returned to the transformers; without them there is a danger of electrocution.
"On a prior occasion, a fire had been caused by other thieves by a similar theft. National Rail employees saw two people on bikes at about 7.50pm on August 5, one was wearing a red top which the prosecution say was this defendant. There was an alarm and it was found an attempt had been made to cut the copper away from the transformers and some fencing panels had been loosened."
The court heard that no disruption was caused to train services, although Griffin or railway engineers could have been killed without the mats.
Griffin, of Castle Street, Spring Boroughs, Northampton, who admitted attempted theft, was given a suspended prison sentence.
Judge Richard Bray said: "I give you credit for pleading guilty, although you now appear to be denying it, which I'll ignore.
"You attempted to steal copper earthing mats from railway transformers, guarded by metal fences so it must have been obvious to you how serious this was, and secondly, how dangerous it was.
"I'm told there was a danger of electrocution as a result of you trying to carry out this serious matter.
"Theft of this kind of copper and other metals is becoming very prevalent so a custodial sentence is necessary.
"For some extraordinary reasons your co-accused was not charged and I accept he was the main offender and I am well aware you have a serious drug problem that needs to be addressed immediately.
"If you want to ruin your life with drugs, that's a matter for you."
Griffin was sentenced to 40 weeks' imprisonment, suspended for two years with six months drug rehabilitation with a year's supervision.
Ben Gow, mitigating, told the court how Griffin had been addicted to heroin for a year after a number of personal tragedies.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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