A JUDGE is regularly held up by thieves - his daily train journey to work is often delayed because signal cables have been stolen. So when a crook came up before him for robbing the railways of the valuable copper, senior judge Roger Thomas decided it was time to crack down.

Reece Gardner, 41, was starting three years in jail after the judge revealed how he had been personally affected by crooks who cripple the rail network and sell the cable for scrap.

Gardner looked stunned as he was given two years for stealing copper cabling worth about £500, plus a consecutive 12-month term for obstructing the railway.

Manchester Crown Court heard the theft on the line at Stockport caused 143 trains to be delayed - many for up to 24 hours - and cost Network Rail alone up to £28,000.

The judge said even Gardner's early plea of guilty only gave him `limited' discount, as he was caught red-handed with cabling and a hacksaw.

Judge Thomas told the court: "I travel here daily on the trains and it has become a concern that stealing cabling is virtually epidemic.

"The train I travel on is delayed very regularly because people such as this defendant choose to steal the cabling.

"The reasons this happens . . . is that the metal from this cabling can command a considerable price.

"This sort of offence is happening time and again, causing disruption and inconvenience and financial losses to many people who travel on trains. In addition, there is danger caused to the system of the signalling which is interfered with."

He told Gardner: "This is a case that needs a deterrent sentence and a message has to go from this court to others who may be minded to behave in the way you have."

Brian Berlyne, prosecuting, said Gardner, of Ellwood Road, Stockport, went out to steal cabling near Stockport station on June 7.

Rail officials realised the signalling was not working and called police, who found Gardner and two pals lurking by the trackside. All three ran off, but Gardner was caught with cabling and a hacksaw.

Mr Berlyne said the incident caused at least 20 hours of delays on the line, which was reopened the following day at a cost to Network Rail of £27,939.The cabling cost £550, but set back NR a total of £6,400 to replace and reinstall with labouring costs.

Gardner later claimed he only stole the cabling because he thought he could get between £40 and £50 for it for scrap.

He looked stunned as the three-year sentence was passed after he had admitted theft and obstruction.

Defence lawyer Steven McHugh said: "He had no idea of the massive inconvenience he had caused to the rail network. The £40-50 pales into insignficance against the cost he caused.

Gardner's case came on the day hundreds of train passengers faced travel meltdown after scrap metal thieves cut power to the rail network into Manchester city centre.

As reported in later editions of yesterday's M.E.N, trains could not use Victoria station after a 64,000-volt cable was stolen.