This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-25417271

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
£150,000 Frampton-on-Severn cable theft: Cardiff gang jailed £150,000 Frampton-on-Severn cable theft: Cardiff gang jailed
(about 2 hours later)
A seven-man gang from Cardiff who risked their lives to steal £150,000 worth of live cable have been jailed. Seven members of a gang who scaled high voltage electricity pylons to steal copper cable worth £150,000 have been jailed.
The cables had been taken from 33,000-volt electricity pylons in a field in Gloucestershire and then taken to the Welsh capital. The gang from Cardiff travelled to Gloucestershire where they cut cable from the live copper conductors on 33,000-volt pylons.
Two of the men were convicted of conspiring to steal the cable in a hearing at Gloucester Crown Court last month. Two of the men were convicted of conspiring to steal cable in a hearing at Gloucester Crown Court in November.
Five other men had pleaded guilty to the same charge at an earlier hearing.Five other men had pleaded guilty to the same charge at an earlier hearing.
The court heard how members of the gang, made up of brothers Vijay and Umar Chohan, Paul Condick, Nathan James, Liam Murphy, Martin Richards and Stephen Phillip, had travelled to a field at Netherhills Farm in Frampton-on-Severn, Gloucestershire in September 2010 and scaled 30m (100ft) high pylons.
They managed to cut cable from both ends of the live copper conductors on the pylons making off with around 7,000 metres.
It was rolled up and taken back to Cardiff where the gang sold it on.
At an earlier hearing, the court was told how the gang was caught after a police officer became suspicious after talking to people in a van and a car on the night of the theft who had told him they had been rabbiting.
Further investigations were carried out which led officers to ABM Salvage in Cardiff - a business run by Umar Chohan.
He told officers that he had stopped dealing in scrap metal but during their visit a customer called and delivered scrap metal.
Both Umar Chohan and his brother Vijay had denied being involved in conspiring to steal cable but at a trial at Gloucester Crown Court the jury heard how mobile phones records showed several calls had been made on the night of the theft to other gang members - who had already admitted their involvement in conspiring to steal cable.
Judge William Hart told the men: "It was well planned and needed considerable audacity bordering on foolhardiness.Judge William Hart told the men: "It was well planned and needed considerable audacity bordering on foolhardiness.
"It did not affect local power supplies, but that was more luck than judgement.""It did not affect local power supplies, but that was more luck than judgement."
The theft of cable belonging to Western Power Distribution took place at Netherhills farm in Frampton-on-Severn, Gloucestershire. 'Dangerous act'
7,000 metres Brothers Vijay and Umar Chohan, from Ely in Cardiff were both sentenced to two years in prison.
High voltage pylons were scaled and live copper conductors were cut through at both ends of the cable.
The copper cable rolled up for onward sale measured some 7,000 metres and was disposed of in the Cardiff area.
Brothers Vijay and Umar Chohan, from Ely in Cardiff, had denied their parts in the offence but were convicted by a jury last month - both were sentenced to two years in prison.
Their trial heard the men were caught after a policeman on patrol in the area became suspicious after speaking to the occupants of a Ford Transit van and a Ford Fiesta car who told him they had been rabbiting.
Telephone numbers relating to ABM Salvage in Argyll Way, Cardiff - a business run by Umar Chohan - were found on the defendants' mobile phones.
When police visited the premises Umar Chohan told them that he had stopped dealing in scrap metal and was now a vehicle repair shop.
But while officers were still there a man called and delivered scrap metal, "so suspicions were further aroused," said prosecutor Mark Worsley.
Subsequent analysis of the two defendants' mobile phones revealed several calls on the night of the crime to other defendants who had already admitted their involvement in conspiring to steal the cable.
Paul Condick and Nathan James from Cardiff and Liam Murphy from Llandough were given 21 months.Paul Condick and Nathan James from Cardiff and Liam Murphy from Llandough were given 21 months.
Martin Richards and Stephen Phillips, also from Cardiff, each received two-and-a-half year sentences.Martin Richards and Stephen Phillips, also from Cardiff, each received two-and-a-half year sentences.
After the case Det Con Jon William from Gloucestershire Constabulary spoke about the risks involved.
"It was a very dangerous act. Clearly they had some knowledge of the systems. They had planned, and we found diagrams in their property, and they came with the equipment to carry it out," he said.
Peter Lowe, the security manager for Western Power Distribution welcomed the sentence and said it was a deterrent to others.
"All seven men have lost their liberty. They've got families to support and yes, it sends out a significant warning," he said.