Court hears electric cable stolen from East Kirkby will cost more than £2k to replace
Lee Archer, 46, of Kimberworth, Rotherham admitted stealing £500 worth of cable belonging to Western Power Distribution.
Michael Cole, prosecuting at Boston Mangistrates' Court, said Archer and another man were seen stealing the cable and loading it into a van on July 1 last year and the registration number was passed to the police.
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Hide AdHe said a chase took place and ended when a 'stinger' was used and Archer, the second man and the cable were found in the vehicle.
Mr Cole said that although the value of the cable was £500, it would cost £2,200 to replace.
Beris Brickles, in mitigation, said Archer had come to Lincolnshire to pick up a friend who had been stranded here and the friend had told him about the cable and suggested they steal it.
He said the cable was below ground at a garage at East Kirkby but not yet connected but there was some of it protruding above ground and they were able to get the cable out using that end.
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Hide AdHe said Archer had not planned the theft and it should be treated as an opportunistic theft.
The magistrates imposed a compensation order against Archer for £1,100 and issued an arrest warrant without bail for a second defendant, also from Rotherham, who had failed to attend to answer the charge.