A THIEF paralysed the rail network in Yorkshire – for the sake of cable worth just £26.40.

Now Robert Law has been jailed for two years, after stealing the cable from Golcar Viaduct in Huddersfield.

And the tough sentence has been welcomed by railway bosses, who had to pay out thousands of pounds in compensation because of his actions.

They believe it is a vital step in their ongoing campaign targeting cable thieves.

Law appeared at Bradford Crown Court, which was told the removal of about 80 metres of cable from a so-called theft “hot-spot” at Golcar Viaduct led to major disruption on the Transpennine route.

The theft meant passenger and freight trains using the line between Manchester and Huddersfield were disrupted for seven days.

And the delays on the line meant Network Rail had to pay compensation of around £15,000 to the affected train operators.

Prosecutor Claire Larton said that repairs to the cabling cost £3,100, but the cost of inconvenience to rail travellers could not be quantified.

Homeless 48-year-old Law later weighed in the stolen copper cabling at a local scrapyard and was paid £26.40 for it.

Three days later Law went back to the same location and stole 50 metres of so-called data link cable.

On that occasion there was no delay caused to the rail network, but it cost another £3,135 to repair.

Miss Larton said when Law weighed in that second amount of cabling he was paid only £10.40.

The court heard that Law had more than 90 offences on his record with almost half them being dishonesty matters.

He failed to turn up at court for a hearing in December last year and was only arrested on a warrant a month ago.

Law admitted two charges of cable theft and a further offence of possessing a lock-knife, on his initial arrest in June last year.

Miss Larton said investigations into the stolen cabling were being carried out at the scrapyard when Law turned up and officers realised that he matched the description of a man caught on CCTV footage.

Law’s barrister Ian Brook, said he now realised that such offences were totally unacceptable.

“The loss to the railway companies is enormous,” said Mr Brook.

“The disruption to the companies, the public transport system and the public in general is horrific.

“What is ironic is the pitiful gain that comes to the defendant.”

Mr Brook explained that Law had been “couch-surfing’’ at friends’ houses for a time, but then ended up on the streets and homeless.

He said Law was without any form of income for about six months and it was in that state of vulnerability that he was invited by a friend to take part in the “escapade”.

“He could have died,” conceded Mr Brook.

“Not only from electrocution but also from the proximity of where the cable was to a high-speed railway line. It was described as being on a blind corner where very fast trains come round.”

Recorder Paul Isaacs jailed Law for two years on the theft matters with an additional two months for possession of the lock-knife.

“I’m afraid the courts know that the only way to stop this sort of behaviour is to pass sentences which make it clear, absolutely clear, to those who may think it is an easy touch – that one – it is not an easy touch – and two – the sentences will be long,” the judge told Law.

CABLE crime is a massive problem for the region’s rail chiefs.

And they hope the two-year jail term given to thief Robert Law is a major deterrent.

Speaking after the sentencing, Det Insp Stuart Mellish, from British Transport Police (BTP), said: “I hope this sentence will act as a deterrent to anyone else considering or attempting to steal cable from the railway.

“Law has lost his liberty, and for just a small amount of money. He was also lucky he didn’t lose his life as stealing cable from the railway environment is extremely dangerous.

“This investigation reflects the hard work that BTP, Network Rail and other agencies are conducting to deter and detect cable theft and all other associated offences. Cable thieves have to understand the disruption and impact their selfishness causes to members of the public, and how the courts look at the overall impact of the offence and not just the theft itself.

“BTP will continue to make every effort possible to arrest and convict anybody caught stealing cable from the railway network.”

Phil Verster, from Network Rail, said: “This sentence sends a strong message to anybody thinking about stealing cable from the railway.

“I cannot over-emphasise just how serious these crimes are.

“Cable thieves deny passengers the service they rightly expect and, through the massive cost to the industry, deny everyone improvements to services.

“We are doing everything we can to protect the railway and will continue to work closely with British Transport Police and other rail partners to do everything in our power to deter thieves and bring those who attack our network to justice.”