A man who tampered with electricity meters to help customers avoid paying for power has received a suspended jail sentence following a fatal fire linked to his methods. Calvin Smith was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court in connection with a blaze that resulted in the death of 18-year-old Leah Casson at her home in North Shields, Tyne and Wear, in 2023.

Prosecutors explained that Smith offered his services through Facebook, advertising a way to obtain “free electricity” by bypassing pre-paid meters. The court heard that Smith took approximately ten minutes to manipulate Casson’s meter, enabling her to use hundreds of pounds worth of electricity without payment. Evidence presented during the trial indicated that the tampering caused electrical components to overheat, contributing to a “slow-burn” fire that ultimately led to Casson’s death.

Smith admitted to a charge of abstracting electricity. A prior charge of manslaughter related to the fire was withdrawn by the prosecution. During sentencing, Mr Justice Cotter underscored the dangers associated with illegally modifying electricity meters, stressing that such actions pose significant risks to public safety. He rejected any notion that Smith acted as a “Robin Hood” figure, emphasizing the potential harm caused by tampering.

The court handed Smith a 16-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, along with 200 hours of unpaid work and an 18-month probation period. The sentence reflects the court’s recognition of the severity of the offense while taking into account mitigating factors presented during the proceedings.