BT worker stole cable from exchanges (From The Oxford Times)

BT worker stole cable from exchanges

1:24pm Tuesday 15th January 2013 in News By Mark Taylor, Reporter. Please call me on (01865) 425411

A FORMER BT worker stole metal cables from telephone exchanges around Oxfordshire more than 120 times.

For almost two years Edward Thomas, a BT Frames Operations Manager, sold the loot on for profit.

The 60-year-old of Bagley Close, Kennington, pleaded guilty at Oxford Magistrates Court on January 8 to three counts of theft by an employee, and three counts of concealing, disguising, converting, transferring or removing criminal property.

Between May 2010 and April 2012, he stole metal cable from various BT exchanges around Oxfordshire on more than 120 occasions.

He also requested to have 246 offences taken into consideration.

He was bailed to appear back at court for sentencing on February 1.

Det Insp Rodger Cartwright said: “This prosecution is another example of the ongoing activity conducted by Thames Valley Police under the banner of Operation Symphony into metal theft and associated crime.

“We will continue to investigate these offences and work alongside partner agencies in order to bring offenders to justice.”

Simon Davies, cable theft manager at BT Security, added: “BT has worked closely with the Thames Valley Police, providing surveillance intelligence to assist with the police’s operation.

“BT will not tolerate any level of criminal behaviour and we will continue to work with police and do everything possible to catch cable theft criminals.”