Prison for thief who blacked out homes

A thief whose attempt to steal copper wiring from an electricity sub station caused 3,000 Black Country homes to lose power has been jailed for two years.

John Hodgetts, aged 35, suffered a massive electric shock when he tried to remove the metal from the station in Bilston Street, Willenhall. He was spotted by a member of the public, writhing around on the ground in pain on November 29 last year, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard yesterday.

Miss Sati Aujla, prosecuting, said: "A member of the public saw the defendant on the far side of a fence and in pain at about 10.30am.

"He was asked what had happened and replied that he had been 'electrocuted' while trying to steal copper.

"He had burns to his arm. The passer-by climbed the fence and helped the defendant back over."

She said Hodgetts' interference with the equipment in the sub station caused £7,780 worth of damage, £21,200 in commercial costs and led to the loss of power for 2,950 homes in the area.

Mr David Perry, defending, said the crime was motivated by drug addiction.

"There was a drug issue at the time," he said. "My client was addicted to heroin. The offence was totally motivated by a drug addiction. He will carry the scars for a long time. He still has muscle spasms from the electric shock."

Judge Michael Challinor told Hodgetts: "This was a deliberate burglary. You knew you would cause damage as a result of attacking these premises.

"This could have had fatal consequences."

Hodgetts, of St Johns Road, Alumwell, admitted one count of burglary. He was handed a two-year prison sentence.

The price of metal has soared, prompting thieves to steal everything from door knobs to bus shelters.