Gang of rail workers jailed for £1.5m raids
Railway industry workers were today behind bars for the theft of track and other materials worth up to £1.5 million. Five people, including three from the Black Country, have been jailed for their involvement in the operation.
Railway industry workers were today behind bars for the theft of track and other materials worth up to £1.5 million. Five people, including three from the Black Country, have been jailed for their involvement in the operation.
The "industrial scale" thefts took place at Network Rail projects, with lorry-loads of used rails diverted to unauthorised scrapyards. Yesterday a judge at Birmingham Crown Court jailed John Burtenshaw, aged 53, Terence Doherty, 48, Stuart Amphlett, 33, Paul Tandon, 47, and 41-year-old Neil Jones for conspiracy to steal.
Two other men – Nicky Halloran, 27, and 43-year-old Roy Skinner – were given suspended sentences after admitting respective charges of conspiracy to steal and theft.
The court heard the group had looked to exploit the maintenance and upgrade work being carried out by Network Rail on the West Coast Mainline in and around Rugby.
Jones, of Bradshaw Avenue, Darlaston, was found guilty of conspiracy to steal from the West Coast Main Line and was sentenced to 21 months.
Tandon, of Curbar Road, Great Barr, was sentenced to 18 months, having admitted conspiracy to steal, and Amphlett, of Wychbold Crescent, Kitts Green, Birmingham, was sentenced to 18 months, having admitted conspiracy to steal.
Halloran, of Hill Top, West Bromwich, admitted conspiracy to steal and was sentenced to 12 months' jail, suspended for 18 months. He was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and given a three-month curfew. Burtenshaw, of Fenny Road, Stoke Hammond, Buckinghamshire, was jailed for two years and nine months, having admitted conspiracy to steal.
Doherty, of Rushton Close, Burtonwood, Warrington, admitted conspiracy to steal from the West Coast Main Line and Manchester Metrolink and was sentenced to two years and six months' imprisonment.
Skinner, of Harwich, Essex, was sentenced to nine months, suspended for 18 months and give 200 hours of unpaid work, having pleaded guilty to theft of 60 sleepers. Det Sgt Chris Hearn, of British Transport Police, said: "There is no doubt that the actions of this organised group deprived Network Rail and, in turn rail users across the country, of valuable finance."
