Gang stole materials during maintenance and upgrade work
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The court heard the gang stole materials during maintenance and upgrade work being carried out by Network Rail on the West Coast Mainline in and around Rugby.
Terry Doherty, a co-director of BRP (Rugby) Ltd – subcontracted by Jarvis to remove rail – conspired with Jarvis plant manager John Burtenshaw to steal rail and sleepers which should have been taken to authorised recyclers.
Doherty also conspired with Stuart Amphlett to steal rail from the Manchester Metrolink project.
A lengthy investigation carried out by British Transport Police revealed Doherty and Burtenshaw used their position, and others within the rail sub-contract industry, to steal up to 3,500 tonnes of rail worth up to £1.5m.
The judge concluded.
“I hope the sentences today make others stop and think before they consider stealing vital equipment from the railway.
“I also welcome the news of a thorough reform of the laws governing scrap metal dealers. Metal thieves directly cost the railway around £19million each year, with the knock on costs and disruption to the economy around the same amount again.
“Network Rail has taken extensive measures to protect our railway but we are simply managing to stem the tide. Reform that effectively takes away the illegal market in scrap metal, which includes an effective licensing regime and adequate power to police and magistrates, is sorely needed to help stamp out the misery caused by these thieves.”
