Further offender sentenced for burgling east Kent substations

A burglar who conspired to steal equipment from electricity substations across east Kent has been jailed.

Frederick Rye, 62, formerly of Tonge Road, Sittingbourne, pleaded guilty to multiple charges before Canterbury Crown Court.

Between September and December 2025, Rye and his accomplice, who was sentenced for his role in the conspiracy in March 2026, targeted multiple UK Power Networks sites including in Ashford and Herne Bay.

Dozens of homes in the coastal town were impacted by the break-ins, which were reported to Kent Police on the morning of 5 November 2025.

Rye’s co-offender, who was dressed in high visibility clothing, used specialist tools to break into substations on Neville Road and Margate Road and stole copper earthing and safety equipment. The incidents resulted in power outages and electrical damage to householders’ property, with the associated costs to business exceeding more than £220,000.

An investigation was launched, which established that further sites across the county had been targeted by the same offender, and that Rye was also connected to the burglaries.

The examination of evidence found that Rye’s involvement included driving a getaway vehicle – which was used to transport the stolen equipment, and his accomplice, away from the crime scenes. He was arrested on 29 April 2026 and was charged the following day.

After admitting his guilt, Rye was sentenced at the same court on Friday 3 July 2026 to 2 years and 3 months’ imprisonment.

Detective Constable Tony Gregory said: ‘We understand the impact that this kind of offending has on victims and the wider community, where criminal activity has caused significant disruption and inconvenience to households and considerable cost to business.‘This case highlights how, throughout the course of our investigations, we remain relentless and determined to identify every offender involved, gather the strongest possible evidence, and bring all perpetrators before the courts to face justice.‘Those who think they can offend without consequence should be in no doubt that we will pursue every available line of enquiry to ensure they are held accountable for their actions.’