A man was killed trying to steal a copper cable which was carrying 11,000 volts, an inquest heard today.

Kirk John Thompson was electrocuted at the derelict Panteg steelworks, in Pontypool, South Wales, when his bolt croppers pierced the plastic coating of a cable still connected to the National Grid.

The body of the 43-year-old from the Bettws area of Newport, south Wales, was discovered outside the perimeter fence of the steelworks at around 10am on April 12 of this year.

Two men who were later arrested, told police they went to the site in the early hours of the morning with Mr Thompson to steal copper. They said they carried him from the scene of his death and abandoned him when they thought someone had seen them.

Mr Thompson’s sister, Samantha Hopkins, told the inquest in Newport that her brother was unemployed and had been a heroin addict.

She added: “Although for the past eight months (of his life) he was totally clean.”

Det Con Gordon Poole of Gwent Police said Mr Thompson had been at the steelworks a few days before his death to steal some copper. He added that electricity to much of the site had been shut down when an attempt to cut copper wire with an axe had pierced a live cable carrying less than 500 volts.

Despite this, the detective said there were still live cables running to the site’s sub station.

“Scenes of crime subsequently found out one of these cables had a direct connection to the National Grid and was carrying 11,000 volts,” said DC Poole.

The inquest heard a metal guard covering the high voltage cable had been removed in a bid to steal the copper.

The detective said the former steelworks was awaiting planning permission for a new development and although the site no longer needed high voltage, it was costly to reduce the power.

Following the post-mortem examination, Dr Rick James, a Home Office pathologist at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, concluded Mr Thompson died from electrocution.

The deputy coroner for Gwent, Wendy James, said toxicology tests found amphetamines in Mr Thompson’s bloodstream consistent with “recent abuse” which she believes would have increased his risk-taking.

“Mr Thompson had no right to be at the site,” said Miss James. “It is perfectly clear he ignored all the warnings over the dangers of electricity.

“He had been at the site in the days before his death but when he returned on April 12 his luck run out.”

She added: “Never has the old saying ’crime never pays’ been so graphically illustrated as in this case.

“These type of thefts are on the increase and people should heed the warnings of the dangers of electricity.

“If they choose to ignore the warnings they will pay the highest price possible.”

She recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Submitted on 09/18/2008

Submitted by: Dwayne White
Reference: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article4780648.ece 09-18-2008

Copyright © 2008 DarwinAwards.com

Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: For Darwin's Eyes
Wow, no "dumb copper thief" stories for over a week and suddenly two in a single day from different countries no less. Thanks, Dwayne.

Candi said:
Definitely Keep: For Darwin's Eyes
What Bruce said!

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