A reliable employee of a telecommunications company has stolen expensive batteries that powered the mobile phone services in Penrith. Martin Whalen, a 39-year-old, committed the illegal act, and his own phone tracked him to the tower at the time of the theft, which amounted to £21,500.
The incident occurred on May 28, 2020, at around 2:50 PM. A report was received about a power outage at the Vodafone tower in Beacon Edge. During the investigation conducted by the prosecution, it was revealed that Whalen, employed by Ericsson, the company responsible for maintaining the tower, possessed an Ericsson card key that provided access to the secured cabin storing 12-volt batteries made by EnerSys.
The theft was of an “internal” nature, as confirmed by the additional precautions taken by the thief. Whalen carefully secured loose wires to prevent power failures. Additionally, Whalen’s phone number was linked to the same cell tower, and documentation related to tower repairs was found in his company vehicle.
Initially, Whalen only admitted to stealing eight smaller and less valuable batteries. However, he eventually confessed to stealing all the stolen items, with a total value of £21,500. During the trial, it was also revealed that Whalen had previously been convicted by a court in Dumfries for a similar theft committed around the same time in April 2022, which led to him losing his job.
Whalen’s defense claimed that his criminal tendencies were a result of his gambling addiction, which had destroyed his life and relationship. They acknowledged that their client had already begun the rehabilitation process for his crimes.
The court sentenced Whalen to 12 months of community rehabilitation supervision, a 3-month curfew prohibiting him from leaving his home during nighttime hours, and ordered him to pay £1,200 in compensation.
The judge acknowledged understanding Whalen’s motivation but emphasized that the defendant had easier access to the tower than an average member of society. Whalen’s crimes displayed characteristics of planning and organization.
FAQ:
1. When did the incident occur?
The incident occurred on May 28, 2020, at around 2:50 PM.
2. What was stolen?
Expensive batteries that powered the mobile phone services were stolen.
3. What was the value of the stolen items?
The total value of the stolen items was £21,500.
4. Who committed the theft?
The theft was committed by Martin Whalen, an employee of the telecommunications company Ericsson.
5. How was the thief caught?
Whalen’s own phone led to the tower at the time of the theft. Additionally, documentation related to tower repairs was found in his company vehicle.
6. What are the consequences for Whalen?
Whalen was sentenced to 12 months of community rehabilitation supervision, a 3-month curfew prohibiting him from leaving his home during nighttime hours, and ordered to pay £1,200 in compensation.
7. What were the causes of the crime according to Whalen’s defense?
Whalen’s defense claimed that his commitment to crime stemmed from his gambling addiction, which had destroyed his life and relationship.
8. What characteristics define Whalen’s crimes?
Whalen’s crimes displayed characteristics of planning and organization, as he had easier access to the tower as an employee of a telecommunications company than an average member of society.
Definitions:
1. Telecommunications – the communication sector that deals with transmitting information over a distance using various technologies.
2. Cell Tower – a structure used in telecommunications to house antennas and other devices for transmitting signals in the cellular phone system.
3. Ericsson card key – an access key to the secured cabin storing EnerSys batteries.
4. 12-volt batteries – batteries with a voltage of 12 volts used to power electrical devices.
5. Rehabilitation process – a process aimed at reintegrating an individual who has committed a crime back into society and normal social functioning by providing support and tools for behavioral change.
Links:
– Ericsson
– Vodafone
– EnerSys
The source of the article is from the blog lokale-komercyjne.pl