A MAN who acquired free gas supply after tapping into a potentially dangerous illegal diversion from the mains was today jailed for five months.

Jonathon Wright was said to have found the capped gas pipe supply when he was making home improvements to his bungalow in the village of Burnhope, County Durham, in January 2014.

Durham Crown Court heard that the illegal gas pipe, which tapped into the mains supply to homes in a nearby street, had been in place since at least 2003, or earlier, as another property had been built over it, in the meantime.

Wright acquired the illicit supply from January 2014, and made use of it for a little more than a year, until it was discovered in an inspection by Northern Gas Networks, in February 2015.

Paul Abrahams, prosecuting, said gas engineers accompanied by a police officer went to Woodland Park Bungalow and found an unregistered gas meter.

It was disconnected from the mains supply to which it was attached and removed.

A gas boiler from which the incoming pipe was believed to have been fitted had already apparently removed

Mr Abrahams said the “entirely illegal” pipe was subsequently found to be connected to the legitimate mains supply in nearby Edwards Walk.

“The pipe runs underneath another property, which is why the Crown believe it was laid before 2003.”

Mr Abrahams said the occupants of the property built over its course were unaware of its existence.

He told the court there was no record of a legitimate gas supply ever to Woodland Park Bungalow as it was not on a database of gas users.

Wright admitted theft of gas at a hearing at the court in April last year, on the basis that he only acquired free supply for little more than a year.

As proceedings involving his mother and sister were still on-going, sentence on Wright was delayed until today.

At a hearing at the court, last week, the prosecution offered ‘no evidence’ against 54-year-old Lynn Smith, of Holmside Lane, and Lisa Walton, 25, of Vale View, both Burnhope, who both denied theft.

Recorder Sophie Drake recorded formal ‘not guilty’ verdicts in both cases, leaving only Wright answering for the charge.

Mr Abrahams said the basis of his plea was “accepted”, as although Wright previously lived at the bungalow from 2005 to 2009, he was said to have only used electrical appliances in that period, before moving elsewhere in the village.

The court heard that Wright also subsequently served a prison sentence of 30 months for an offence of dishonesty said to involve benefits, and only went back to live at the bungalow in January 2014, following his release.

“So, it is accepted he only benefited from a gas supply for little more than a year, amounting to between £90 and £100.”

But, Mr Abrahams added: “The aggravating feature is that he’s a member of the general public interfering with gas supply running under another property, with the inherent risk of it causing a serious accident.

“There was a significant risk of harm as it could have had serious repercussions being attached to a gas main, not only to this property, but to those nearby.”

Judge Simon Hickey said: “The main aggravating feature here is that we are talking about gas, which is capable of escaping and exploding.”

Jane Foley, for Wright, said that it was initially claimed her client and his original co-accused were responsible for 14 years of free gas supply, but it was now limited to the period of just more than a year prior to being discovered.

Miss Foley urged the judge to suspend the sentence as she said Wright is in full-time employment, in Consett.

But Judge Hickey said despite the low sum involved it was more serious due to the risks involved.

“”There was illegal obtaining of gas which is highly flammable and explosive, and, therefore dangerous.

“I can’t suspend the sentence for something like this.”

The judge added that Wright would have to pay compensation of £10 a week to the gas company on his release.