Jail for ‘moron’ who plunged town into darkness by trying to steal 11,000-volt electrical cable

A “moronic” thief who plunged parts of Leven into darkness, blew himself up and caused more than £60,000 worth of damage when he tried to steal a live 11,000-volt electrical cable has been jailed.

John Maguire suffered horrific full thickness burns to his right hand and wrist after trying to steal the cable in the Fife town in a bid to bolster his finances two days before Christmas.

Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court heard his stunt plunged a large area of Leven – including a Sainsbury’s supermarket and an industrial park – into darkness until Scottish Power engineers fixed it.

A Scottish Power insider said: “This was utterly moronic – it’s hard to imagine anything more idiotic than tampering with a live high voltage cable.”

Maguire, 54, of Haughgate Terrace, Leven, pleaded guilty on indictment to a charge of attempted theft on December 23.

His not guilty plea to charge of culpably and recklessly tampering with the cable causing danger of injury and death was accepted by the Crown.

Sheriff Jamie Gilchrist QC jailed Maguire for eight months.

For a full report and reaction, see Friday’s Courier.