A COALSNAUGHTON couple have admitted tampering with their electric meter.

On Monday 21 July fiscal depute Susannah Hutchison told Alloa Sheriff Court that a warrant was obtained to gain access to Michela Hicks and Robert Jackson’s house on the suspicion that they had been stealing electricity after only £12 had been paid over a period of time.

On 12 September 2013 the meter was checked, found to be rigged, and £1068.88 worth of electricity stolen. The electricity was then cut off.

Jackson (32) pleaded guilty to stealing a quantity of electricity between 10 September 2012 and 12 September 2013, and intentionally damaging the wires within the key meter provided by Scottish and Southern Energy.

When an engineer returned 11 days later on 23 September 2013 to reconnect the supply, it was noted that the meter had once again been interfered with.

Hicks (26) denied theft – which was accepted by the Crown – but did plead guilty to damaging the meter’s security seals and plugs at some point between 12 and 23 September 2013.

It was explained that Jackson was living at another address at the time, but had access to the Sheardale Drive property to feed his snake.

Jackson claimed the bill was in his name, but he had been giving Hicks money for the meter and it wasn’t rigged before he moved out. He has since returned to the address.

The court heard that Hicks told the police she’d spoken to a man who knew a guy that would reconnect her meter so she could have a “hot bath”. The attempt failed and she admitted to officers, “I know it’s not supposed to be done.” Sheriff Mackie fined Hicks £100 for the meter damage and adjourned Jackson’s sentencing until 21 August for the completion of a criminal justice social work report.