Sponsored by
Leeds burns dad shown mercy
James Sorby.
A Leeds dad who suffered life-changing burns as he tried to steal copper cables was given a 12 months supervision order by magistrates.
James Sorby, 22, who yesterday appeared in the YEP urging others not to risk their lives stealing copper cable, had been “substantially punished” by the injuries he had suffered said the chairman of the Leeds Magistrates bench.
Sorby sustained severe burns to his face, hands and arms when the 22,000 volt electricity jumped to his body before he could even touch the cable.
He suffered a weakened heart, damage to the sight in his left eye and movement loss in one hand.
After being brought back from the brink of death at a Sheffield hospital burns unit where he spent eight weeks, he underwent numerous skin graft operations.
Sorby now faces more operations, including a hair transplant over a repaired hole in his skull where the electricity exited his body. He faces indefinite outpatient treatment in the future.
Earlier Sorby, of Cavalier Close, Cross Green, Leeds, had pleaded guilty to trespass with intent to steal at a previously broken open electricity sub-station in an insecure disused Post Office sorting warehouse in Stourton, Leeds, on January 27.
He had gone with two other people to the sub-station, which had danger warnings on it, but had been shocked before having any chance to steal cables from the transformer room. His accomplices had called an ambulance before fleeing.
He was found unconscious, bleeding heavily amid electricity scorched and bloodstained walls. The blood was tested and established as Sorby’s.
His extensive hospital treatment delayed police arresting him, but he was finally arrested on May 23 and, after admitting the offence, was charged.
Urging the magistrates to impose a supervision order, Sean Cluderay said his client had cooperated with police and the media in order to deter others from becoming similarly involved in such dangerous offences.
He had already suffered a form of summary justice through his injuries. He lived with his mother and finances were tight.
Sorby told the YEP: “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.”
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Leeds
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
