TWO men caught red-handed stealing cable from a railway substation in Catford have been jailed for a total of seven years.

On October 11 last year, British Transport Police found Robin Powell outside the building, who told them: "I am just the look out."

Officers then found two other men inside who had removed valuable earthing cable - put in place for safety purposes.

PC Rob Noddings said: "These men were acutely reckless and dangerous, putting themselves and anyone else entering the premises at risk of serious injury, or even death, through electrocution.

"This is a stark reminder of the real risks people take in attempting to steal cable and make a quick buck for themselves.

"This was sadly highlighted by the death of a Catford man just over a year ago after an ill-fated copper cable theft from a substation in Penge.

"In that case his two accomplices, who were fortunate enough to survive, were jailed for a total of eight years."

At Blackfriars Crown Court, Neil Lennon, aged 30, of Catford Hill, Catford was jailed for four years while 39-year-old Liverpudlian Tom Burns was sentenced to three years.

Powell, aged 19, of Catford Hill, Catford, was given a year’s detention, with the sentence suspended for two years.

The men had previously pleaded guilty to burglary and criminal damage recklessly endangering life.