PCSO Melanie Platt examines scorch marks after foal died

by Hayley Robinson

hrobinson@thekmgroup.co.uk

A foal died after metal thieves chopped down a power cable pole – leaving live wires exposed.

The burnt remains of the animal were found after much of Iwade was plunged into darkness.

Almost 3,000 homes were affected after the wooden pole was targeted in Old Ferry Road.

There is speculation the young horse could have been deliberately dropped on to the wires to see if they were still live.

Or it is thought it could have wandered on to them after approaching the would-be thieves for food.

The field's owner, Julie Thomas, said: "It was horrifically burnt, as was the ground.

"The owner of the animal turned up and took it away. He's in his 80s – he was heartbroken.

"They didn't break the locks to the gate to get in, so they must have climbed over."

The incident happened just before midnight on September 29, but it's just been brought to light.

Police are investigating the possibility the culprits were trying to steal copper cabling.

The damage cut off power supplies to 2,934 customers in the area.

Iwade's PCSO Melanie Platt said: "It's terrible. I've never heard of anything like this in this area."

Nick Rogers, head of health and safety at UK Power Networks, said: "The criminals whose reckless actions led to this foal’s death had no regard for public safety.

"These are not victimless crimes and apart from the disruption caused by the power cut, this was a really distressing incident for the owners of the foal and our staff."