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Thief used illegal meter to take gas
A THIEF who stole more than £2,000 of gas from the mains put himself and his neighbours in “catastrophic” danger.
Bryan Lewis Hacker, 52, was caught using a stolen gas meter illegally rigged up to the main supply for 17 months after British Gas cut him off.
After accumulating gas arrears, Hacker, of Alma Road, Maesteg Park, Maesteg, had a pre-pay gas meter installed in 1999 but this was later removed and his supply disconnected, Bridgend Magistrates’ Court heard.
Prosecuting, Nicola Powell said another gas meter was stolen in a burglary in February 2005 and was found in Hacker’s house by British Gas.
She added: “The meter had been fitted in a manner that was clearly not by a Corgi or British Gas engineer. It was put in by someone else and the gas registered through that meter had been stolen.”
British Gas claimed the total owed by Hacker in VAT, arrears, an investigation fee and reconnection and disconnection fees totalled £3,080.
After denying the charge of stealing £2,128.05 of gas between September 2005 and February 2007, Hacker pleaded guilty on the day of the trial.
District Judge Richard Williams said: “This theft isn’t just incidental, it creates a risk like those that occur at electrical substations.
“Here is the risk that if it is not properly connected to the gas, it can cause catastrophic implications.”
Bob Shaw, in mitigation, said the meter had been installed by a friend when the house was being renovated.
He added: “He was aware he had been disconnected but he continued with the use of the gas.”
The court heard that Hacker was on income support and did not work because he was suffering from depression and anxiety due to family problems and the death of his son in 2000.
A probation officer said Hacker was happy to perform unpaid work because he was fit, healthy and it would do him good.
He was sentenced to a community order with 100 hours’ unpaid work and ordered to pay British Gas back the £2,128.05 at a rate of £5 per week from his benefits.
After the hearing, a British Gas revenue protection officer said: “There is no safe way to steal power. It’s incredibly dangerous, it’s incredibly stupid and it’s also a crime.
“The thieves, their families and their neighbours could all be put at risk. It could cause a fire or an explosion and injure innocent people.”
To report someone stealing gas or electricity call the British Gas hotline on 0800 587 2737.
Sent: 13/08/2007
Email us direct at: repairs@londonheatingservices.co.uk
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