'Foolish' fishermen got van stuck on railway line during metal theft attempt
TWO fishermen drove their van along a railway track, getting it stuck on the lines, in a bid to steal metal.
Luke Able, 26, and his friend Samuel Pelham drove a white van on to a freight line running parallel to the A63 to steal metal.
However, the pair got the van stuck on the track and were spotted using a scaffolding pole to try to lever the vehicle free.
Police raced to the railway track and caught the pair red-handed.
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British Transport Police had to cancel a freight train and the track was closed for hours, causing delays to services, as safety checks were carried out by engineers.
Judge Jeremy Richardson QC, sitting at Hull Crown Court, said: "It was a very foolish thing to have done.
"Those who take vehicles unlawfully on to the track pose a danger to the railway users and train drivers.
"The railway company had to spend a lot of time and money removing the van and checking the lines were safe."
Hull Crown Court heard the pair had driven on to the railway track in an attempt to find scrap metal to sell.
Able, of Millport Drive, west Hull, pleaded guilty to obstructing a railway line on January 28 last year.
His barrister Patrizia Doherty said: "He had lost his job at a food factory and had to succumb to benefits and on that particular day was out looking for scrap."
Judge Richardson QC sentenced Able to a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered him to carry out 40 hours of unpaid work.
Able, who is planning to join a ship setting sail in two weeks, was also ordered to pay £500 court costs.
There is a warrant out for Pelham's arrest after he joined a three-month fishing voyage instead of attending court to be sentenced.
Judge Richardson said the crime had caused "massive inconvenience" for the rail company.
He said: "The serious aspect was the potential for danger. As it happens, there was no massive disruption, but it was dangerous."
Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Yorkshire and Humberside Martin Goldman said: "It is important we take a firm stand against this type of offending.
"When metal theft occurs, whether it is railway cables, war memorials or commemorative metal plaques, we will mount a robust prosecution of those responsible.
"Victims or witnesses of potential metal theft play a crucial role in helping us to prosecute and I urge them to report these crimes to the police as soon as possible."
Comments
by ArthurHunt
Saturday, February 18 2012, 12:26AM
“I agree with harryoffdock2”
by mavericka
Thursday, February 16 2012, 11:33PM
“they was looking for thomas the tank engine”
by big_house_boy
Thursday, February 16 2012, 8:07PM
“wonder if the scaffolding pole that they used was one of those that was "borrowed" off the old Amy Johnson school site a few months ago?”
by harryoffdock2
Thursday, February 16 2012, 7:52PM
“Headline should read " 2 metal thieves caught and let off very lightly".
I could call myself an out of work gigolo when out thieving metal, it would still make me a thief. There should have been no mention of fishermen, they're thieves, period.
Pelham has shown no respect for the law by failing to attend court, I hope his sentence reflects this when he finally deigns to grace the court with his presence.”
by Imagine_that
Thursday, February 16 2012, 7:29PM
“Also, lots of people with suspended sentences get into trouble again and end up serving that sentence plus the one they get for the next crime.
It's like being released on licence half way through their prison sentences. It happens to lots of ex-inmates, even for something as simple as being late for a probation appointment. Or even for being suspected of a crime that they didn't actually commit.
Don't get me wrong; I have no sympathy with them at all. But their lives aren't the bed of roses that some people think that they are.”
by Zola1984
Thursday, February 16 2012, 7:03PM
“People on here always say the punishment never fits the crime, and I do agree with them, however, also bear in mind that these people who get suspended sentences still have criminal records that can have a huge negative impact on the rest of their lives, on things like jobs, foreign travel, insurance etc, read about here
http://tinyurl.com/44oppet”
by Imagine_that
Thursday, February 16 2012, 6:37PM
“SPBlakeney
"Harsh,firm, British deterrent justice, the envy of the world."
Then you haven't looked at the Scandinavian criminal justice system then? Espeecially Norway.
http://tinyurl.com/3w4fw4x”
by SPBlakeney
Thursday, February 16 2012, 5:59PM
“Nice to see the 'crackdown' on metal thieves has really begun to bite. I hear if they're re-arrested and sentenced, their bingo night privileges and tea and scone suppers will be suspended for three months. Harsh,firm, British deterrent justice, the envy of the world.”
by Basil__Fawlty
Thursday, February 16 2012, 3:54PM
“These idiots need to be locked up to be a deterrent to others. It's already snowballed. Personally I would have them shot chinese firing squad style.”
by NeilTheasby
Thursday, February 16 2012, 2:01PM
“Whaddya mean - " robust prosecution of those responsible" ? - These selfish, socially irresponsible thieves appear to have got off lightly. Decent people abhor metal thefts like the one they had planned for that night. How many other metal thefts had they got away with previously? If the Darlington "Canoe Man" and his wife had to be locked as an example to others for their insurance fraud, why not Able and Pelham?”