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Ex-railway worker guilty of arson Ex-railway worker guilty of arson
(20 minutes later)
A former rail worker has been found guilty of putting lives at risk during a spate of vandal attacks which caused widespread delays on the railways.A former rail worker has been found guilty of putting lives at risk during a spate of vandal attacks which caused widespread delays on the railways.
But Allan Nicol, 48, from Birmingham, has been cleared of a charge of reckless criminal damage.But Allan Nicol, 48, from Birmingham, has been cleared of a charge of reckless criminal damage.
Nicol previously admitted cutting cables and setting fire to signalling equipment in 12 attacks over 17 months across the West Midlands.Nicol previously admitted cutting cables and setting fire to signalling equipment in 12 attacks over 17 months across the West Midlands.
He will be sentenced on 7 March at Birmingham Crown Court.He will be sentenced on 7 March at Birmingham Crown Court.
His vandalism cost the railway industry millions of pounds, with nearly 7,000 train services cancelled or delayed.His vandalism cost the railway industry millions of pounds, with nearly 7,000 train services cancelled or delayed.
Some major routes, including the West Coast Main Line, were disrupted for several days.Some major routes, including the West Coast Main Line, were disrupted for several days.
Nicol, who worked for a railway maintenance contractor and then a railways recruitment firm, denied two charges - of reckless criminal damage, and arson being reckless as to whether lives would be endangered.Nicol, who worked for a railway maintenance contractor and then a railways recruitment firm, denied two charges - of reckless criminal damage, and arson being reckless as to whether lives would be endangered.
The prosecution had claimed a fire in 2005 in the relay room in Rugeley, Staffordshire, which contained signalling equipment, could have caused an explosion.The prosecution had claimed a fire in 2005 in the relay room in Rugeley, Staffordshire, which contained signalling equipment, could have caused an explosion.
Anger at firmAnger at firm
Nicol had admitted 12 charges of criminal damage.Nicol had admitted 12 charges of criminal damage.
The court heard Nicol was angry that Network Rail was not using the recruitment firm for which he worked and at being made redundant.The court heard Nicol was angry that Network Rail was not using the recruitment firm for which he worked and at being made redundant.
He was arrested after dropping a receipt for a snack at the scene of one fire in Rugeley, Staffordshire, which was started on 3 November 2005.He was arrested after dropping a receipt for a snack at the scene of one fire in Rugeley, Staffordshire, which was started on 3 November 2005.
Severe disruptionSevere disruption
The vandalism attacks took place in Staffordshire, Warwickshire, the West Midlands and Worcestershire during 2004 and 2005, and had a knock-on effect over a massive area of the rail network.The vandalism attacks took place in Staffordshire, Warwickshire, the West Midlands and Worcestershire during 2004 and 2005, and had a knock-on effect over a massive area of the rail network.
After the trial a Network Rail spokesman said: "These attacks caused severe disruption for thousands of passengers across the West Midlands and beyond.After the trial a Network Rail spokesman said: "These attacks caused severe disruption for thousands of passengers across the West Midlands and beyond.
"They cost the railway industry millions of pounds, money that would otherwise have been invested back into the network to improve services for passengers."They cost the railway industry millions of pounds, money that would otherwise have been invested back into the network to improve services for passengers.
"Sustained malicious attacks of this nature are extremely rare and we thank the British Transport Police for their role in bringing the culprit to justice.""Sustained malicious attacks of this nature are extremely rare and we thank the British Transport Police for their role in bringing the culprit to justice."
The father-of-six has been told to expect a lengthy prison sentence.
Judge Robert Orme told him there was a lack of sufficient explanation as to why he carried out the attacks, adding his response to his anger was "extraordinary".