Three jailed for their part in theft of £35,000 worth of cable from rail depot

Scott Horsefield (Image: Archant)

The men, who were all found guilty of conspiracy to burgle, were sentenced at Peterborough Crown Court following an extensive investigation by British Transport Police (BTP).

Steven Moore (Image: Archant)

Mark Chandler (43) of St Lawrence Road in Dunscroft, Doncaster, was jailed for 30 months.

Steven Moore (46) of Clayfield View in Mexborough, was jailed for 2 years.

Scott Horsefield (33), of Bawtry Road in Doncaster, was jailed for 13 months.

At trial in April, the court heard how the three had conspired to steal the cable, which weighed 10 tonnes, in August 2012.

Chandler, who worked at the depot where the burglary took place, reported the break-in on August 6, despite being part of the gang responsible for the theft.

His part in the crime came to light after an anonymous tip-off led officers to Horsefield’s address in Doncaster where three drums of cable and several thousand pounds in cash were discovered.

Subsequent enquiries found that Horsefield was friends with Chandler. BTP officers examined the two men’s mobile phone records and found the pair had been in contact around the time of the theft.

Both men were arrested and charged with conspiracy to burgle the depot, and the investigation continued.

Officers discovered Horsefield had been in contact with a vehicle hire company and that the third member of the gang, Moore, had hired a lorry from that company.

The court was told the lorry was picked up on police ANPR cameras driving between Doncaster and Peterborough on the day of the burglary, and that Moore had been in phone contact with Horsefield.

Moore was subsequently charged with conspiracy to burgle, and all three men will now serve prison sentences for their part in the theft.

Detective Constable Michael Hatcher of BTP Stratford, who led the investigation, said after last Thursday’s sentencing at Peterborough Crown Court: “This has been a lengthy and complex case which required excellent police work and great diligence on the part of our officers.

“Far from being a victimless crime, cable theft costs the rail industry millions and forces delays which impacts on passengers and train services.

“As this investigation shows, we will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to catch those responsible.

“I would like to pay tribute to Dc Nick Thompson along with our colleagues from South Yorkshire Police and Greater Manchester Police and our partners at Network Rail.”