Promising footballer locked up over Rowley Regis cable theft
A promising young footballer who caused disruption to a bank for eight days after stealing copper cable was discovered by police down a manhole, a court has heard.
Michael Barnard was part of a professional criminal enterprise which involved winches, lighting and tools.
The stolen cable – which caused data problems at Barclays Bank in Rowley Regis High Street – was worth £2,300, although the overall cost to BT was £4,759.
The 20-year-old – a former youth player for West Ham United – pleaded guilty to theft and was given eight months in a young offenders' institution. He lives in a caravan in Kent but came to the Midlands after being approached by men offering him work.
When the problems started at Barclays on April 3, tests were undertaken which showed that the fault came from within 150 yards of the branch.
Four manhole covers in the area had recently been removed and after police were called they removed the manhole cover in Habberley Road, discovering the defendant hiding.
In total 49 metres of missing cable was discovered, as well as 342 metres pulled back from the underground network ready to be cut.
Mr Timothy Talbot-Webb, defending, said that Barnard was naive and not the organiser of the crime. Judge Challinor said: "People must understand if they interfere with communications systems they must face the consequences."
