Railway cable thief jailed (From Times Series)

Man who stole railway cable in Barnet and Whetstone is jailed

11:09am Tuesday 19th February 2013 in News By Natalie O'Neill

A metal thief who stole railway cable ten times in three months has been jailed for three years.

Christian Sascau, 35, of no fixed address, stole cable across areas in north London including Barnet and Whetstone.

PC Adrienne Curzon, the investigating officer, said: “There is a common assumption that cable theft is a victimless crime with the only effects being felt by the railway industry. This is not the case.

“Theft of cable can have a huge impact on the running of the rail network and thousands of passengers are inconvenienced by it every year.

“Stealing railway cable is incredibly dangerous. Thieves risk not only a prison sentence but also serious injury and death through electrocution.”

Sascau was arrested by British Transport Police during a raid at an address in Newham. Officers found more than a tonne of cable sheathing in the loft of the address.

He was found guilty at Snaresbrook Crown Court on February 7 of failing to appear at court and ten counts of conspiracy to steal cable from the London Underground between February 5 2012 and May 3 2012.