Would-Be Cable Thief Facing Jail

A man is facing jail after admitting to plunging parts of Leven into darkness.

John Maguire suffered severe burns to his right hand and wrist after trying to steal a live 11,000 volt electrical cable to bolster his finances two days before Christmas 2013.

Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court heard how the stunt caused the cable to explode and cost around £61,500.

Sheriff Jamie Gilchrist QC today deferred sentence until next month for social work background reports and released the 54-year old on bail.

Fiscal depute Susan Armstrong said:"The cable carried 11,000 volts and supplied a large area of Leven, including an industrial area and a Sainsbury's supermarket, which reported a loss of power.
 
"Police received anonymous information on December 27 that the accused was responsible and he was traced at his home.
 
"He had obvious injuries to his hand which was extremely swollen and covered in black and red skin.
 
"He later told police he had suffered full thickness burns to his hand and wrist as well as burns to his face and there may be lasting nerve damage.
 
"He indicated he was sorry for the bother he had caused and said he had done it because he needed money for Christmas."
 
Maguire, 54, of Haughgate Terrace, Leven, pleaded guilty on indictment to a charge of attempted theft.
 
His not guilty plea to charge of culpably and recklessly tampering with the cable causing danger of injury and death was accepted by the Crown.