Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire
abstracting electricity

Man arrested on London train for charging phone

Robin Lee was confronted by a police community support officer.

A MAN WAS arrested on a London train for using an electrical socket to charge his phone.

The incident happened on a London Overground train when the man in question, 45-year-old Robin Lee, plugged his iPhone charger into the train’s mains electricity.

He told the Evening Standard that he was apprehended after getting off a train at Camden Road, and that the arresting officer informed him it was on charges of “abstracting electricity”.

The incident happened on Friday and Lee was initially confronted by a police community support officer.

“She said I’m abstracting electricty. She kept saying it’s a crime,” he told the newspaper.

The crime of ‘abstracting electricity’ is an offence under the Theft Act 1968 and carries a maximum jail term of five years.

The electrical sockets available on trains are in place to be used by cleaners.

Speaking to Buzzfeed News, Lee explained that once he was brought to the local police station, he was de-arrested on the charge of abstracting electricity and then re-arrested on the charge of inappropriate behaviour.

Read: 8 of the worst times to run out of phone battery

Also: This new IKEA furniture will charge your phone for you*

Your Voice
Readers Comments
68
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.