Copper Thief Puts East Kent Homes in the Dark! Mark Baker, 40, has been jailed for sneaking into electricity substations disguised as a workman and ripping out copper cabling across East Kent. His brazen raids left dozens of homes powerless between September and December 2025.
£220,000 in Damage and Widespread Blackouts
Baker targeted substations in Ashford, Canterbury, and Herne Bay, forcing entry while decked out in high-vis gear. Using specialist tools, he stole copper earthing and safety equipment from sites on Neville Road and Margate Road in Herne Bay, triggering blackouts and causing more than £220,000 worth of damage.
Police linked him to break-ins at several other locations, including Sandyhurst Lane, Guernsey Way, Eureka Park in Ashford, Sutton Valence in Maidstone, and Canterbury.
Caught Red-Handed After Police Raids
On 18 December 2025, cops swooped on Baker’s Sittingbourne home. They found bolt croppers, metal cutters, and huge batteries used in his thefts. He was charged the very next day.
Heavy Jail Term Sends Hawk-Eyed Warning
At Canterbury Crown Court on 10 March 2026, Baker pled guilty to multiple offences. He was slammed with a tough 2 years and 9 months behind bars.
“Baker is a reckless offender whose crimes not only posed a serious risk to personal safety but also caused huge disruption to hundreds of people, and vast expense,” said Detective Sergeant Pete Frampton. “This sentence sends a clear message: offenders will be caught and punished.”
Lee Craddock, head of security at UK Power Networks, added: “Tampering with electrical infrastructure is extremely dangerous and causes major disruption. We urge the public to report any suspicious behaviour around power equipment—it could stop power cuts or even save lives. Thanks to Kent Police for bringing this criminal to justice.”
