SCRAP metal thieves scaled a 165ft electricity pylon to steal wiring worth just £100 — but caused £100,000 damage. The blundering gang risked their lives by climbing up the pylon past deadly 275,000-volt power cables to reach the top of the tower. They cut an earth wire which protects the pylon from lightning strikes and brought down more than 600m of cable. But the raid caused 1,000 times more damage than their petty haul was worth, a court was told. The wire, a mixture of aluminium and steel, had a scrap value of around £100. But National Grid faced a £100,000 repair bill. One of the gang, Desmond Brady, was arrested near to the scene covered in mud and out of breath after a police chase. He is now facing jail. Brady, 43, from Rochdale, pleaded guilty to attempted theft and damaging property at Bolton Crown Court. Three men were involved in the raid in Middleton, Greater Manchester, but no one else has been traced. Brady, who lives at a Salvation Army hostel in Rochdale, was arrested after workmen, who spotted the trio, raised the alarm. He ran off but was pinpointed by a police helicopter. Around 300m of the wiring had been coiled up and was found at the foot of the pylon. The gang had scaled the tower on small bolts that act as steps for maintenance work. The crime followed two other incidents in the same area, where pylons were climbed and wire was severed or damaged. On one occasion, damage to an earth wire led to the evacuation of several nearby homes. National Grid says it has introduced wireless CCTV cameras and anti-climb guards and paint in response to the incidents. And Greater Manchester Police has plotted all towers and electricity substations on their systems. Brady, who the court heard has a lengthy criminal past, will be sentenced on February 13. He was warned he it is "highly probable" he will get a custodial sentence. A National Grid spokesman said: "We hope that this case sends out a strong message about the dangers of tampering with high-voltage electrical equipment."
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