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Leeds 22,000 volt shock man’s plea
CABLE THEFT WARNING: James Sorby has issued a plea to others after he suffered terrible injuries as he tried to steal copper cabling from an electricity sub-station.
A LIFE-SAVING warning was given today by a dad who was horrifically burned when electrocuted by 22,000 volts – trying to steal copper cabling.
Determined to prevent others making the same mistake, James Sorby, 22, said: “I have been through so much and am still going through it. My message is ‘don’t do it’. Before I did this it was just an idea and there was no danger to it. Everyone thinks it’s so easy and they have no idea how stupid they’re being.”
Sorby, of Cross Green, Leeds, suffered severe burns to his hands and face. His heart was left weakened, the sight in his left eye damaged and he lost movement in one hand.
He endured weeks in hospital, five operations and skin grafts and faces more surgery, including a hair transplant over a skull wound which exposed his brain and where the electric charge exited his body.
James was trying to steal cabling from an electricity sub-station in a disused Post Office sorting office in Skelton Grange Road, Stourton, when the massive charge jumped a gap to his body before he could touch the cable.
At Leeds Magistrates Court he pleaded guilty to trespass with intent to steal on January 27. He is due to be sentenced today.
Prosecuting Ms Vicky Trueman said that despite danger warnings James and two others went to steal cabling from the previously broken open sub-station. He had no chance to steal before being electrocuted. His accomplices called an ambulance. He remembered nothing of what happened. Later exposed copper cabling and flashmarks was found along with blood identified as James’s. He was arrested on May 23 after months in hospital and accepted the offence.
Ms Abbi Whelan said the consequences for James had been “catastrophic”. He walked into the sub-station and was knocked unconscious by the electric shock.
“It will live with him the rest of his life. He did not appreciate what could happen.” He had assisted the police who were eager to alert people to the dangers of the increasing number of cable thefts. He had not been in trouble for nearly two years and was trying to be a role model to his young daughter.
James told the YEP all he can remember is entering the warehouse. “The next thing I remember is the ambulance arriving. I was in a bad way. They cut off my clothes. There was blood everywhere.
The incident had a major impact on James’s mother Diane and sister and a brother, grandparents and his aunt and uncle flew from Australia to his bedside.
“The pain was unbelievable and the doctors told me I only survived because I am so young and fit.”
But James, who had a six month trial as a second row forward with an Australian rugby side, faces further operations to restore movement to his badly scarred hands.
He stressed: “When you think of getting involved in something like this, you don’t think of the danger. Now I’ve been through this I would not wish this on anyone. I’ve been through five months of agony, and this has changed my life forever.”
One of the worst moments was the first time he was allowed to see his daughter after months and she did not recognise his face.
“It wasn’t until she heard my voice she realised I was her dad. It was a horrible to realise your own daughter didn’t know who you were,” he said.
“I think I’ve been given a second chance, but I’ve got to live with what I’ve done every day. Every single day I am reminded. My goal is just to be there for my daughter when she needs me, to get a straight job and possibly begin coaching rugby to young lads. That way I can teach them not just how to play rugby, but how to behave off the pitch. Talking about it is one way I can put things right,” added James.”I m still here and that’s the most important thing.”
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Det Chief Insp Mick Oddy of City and Holbeck Division, said: “Metal theft is increasingly popular because of its rising value, but with it comes the life-endangering risks that thieves are taking for the sake of making some quick money. James is extremely lucky to be alive to tell the tale. I hope his story makes people take his advice and think twice before getting involved in metal theft.”
A country wide surge if cable thefts has been mainly triggered by the huge prices being paid for copper and other metals, many of the products leaving Britain for use in India and the Middle East.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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