A PAIR of Perth teenagers who brought down the entire Perth and Kinross emergency services communications system have been sentenced to nine months’ detention.

Perth Sheriff Court heard that Scott Rettie (19) and 18-year-old Darren Green’s “adventure” at the emergency services radio transmission building, owned by Tayside Police in Perth, could have had extremely serious consequences.

The pair, who had never previously come to the attention of police, were part of a group that broke in to the building at Kirkton of Mailer, Craigend, in October last year.

They stole four radio transmitters, causing over £40,000 worth of damage and left the emergency services stricken for hours.

Sheriff Michael Fletcher said the ease with which a group of 17-year-olds had compromised the system, putting lives at risk, made his blood run cold.

He questioned the precautions taken by the emergency services and in particular police to ensure the safety of such crucial equipment.

Police said yesterday a security review had been undertaken and new measures put in place.

Rettie, of Glenartney Terrace, and Green, of Breadalbane Terrace, admitted that on October 22 or 23 last year they broke into the transmission building and stole electronic equipment.

They also admitted culpably and recklessly removing electronic equipment that was essential to the functioning of the radio communications system used by the police, ambulance and fire service and, with utter disregard for the consequences, disabled the communications system to the danger of others.

A group of teenagers, including the two accused, had used a pole to break the lock on the building.

Depute fiscal Hannah Kennedy said that once within they could see labels clearly indicating the three emergency services and had remained for some time to listen to the transmissions.

Returning later with friends whom they wanted to show the station, the pair had removed the equipment.

She said four radio transmitters had been stolen, with the screws holding them in place removed and wires cut.

Both Rettie and Green had been co-operative and admitted their part in the escapade and led officers to the stolen equipment.

Ms Kennedy said the effect on the emergency services had been overwhelming.

“The ambulance service had a total loss of communications in the whole of western division, including areas between Aviemore, Kinross, Blairgowrie and Crieff,” she said.

“Parts of the service were relying on mobile phones,” Ms Kennedy added.

The damage caused by the pair made the equipment difficult to fix on site and it was not until 4 pm on October 24 that the damage was fully repaired.

The radio transmitters were found to be damaged beyond use.

Solicitor David Holmes for Rettie said the incident had been akin to an “adventure,” but said it had clearly turned to misadventure.

He said his client had in no way recognised the importance of the site.

“Perhaps the services themselves did not realise its importance,” he added.

“They simply forced open a door that gave way easily.”

Solicitor Rosie Scott, representing Green, added, “In hindsight my client realises how thoughtless and stupid this was.

“They heard the transmissions and wanted to listen.

“On their second visit they decided to take the equipment to see if they could listen to it at home.

“They did not realise its importance.

“He (Green) is very fortunate that there were no serious incidents as a result of this and also fortunate that it was dealt with quickly.”

Mrs Scott added, “While there was criminal intent, I do not think there was malicious intent.”

Sheriff Michael Fletcher said it was a most “unusual and difficult,” case and left the bench to consider his sentence.

He told the court, “I think most people will be surprised to find that the communications system for not one, but all three emergency services could be totally undermined by a group of 17-year-olds with a pole.

“It makes the blood run cold to think what use that information could have been put to by other people in other circumstances.

“It must be assumed that steps have now been taken to resolve this situation.”

Sheriff Fletcher said he had been asked to consider that the pair had no idea of the serious consequences of their actions.

However, he told them, “It cannot have escaped your notice that the equipment was in use and having listened to the communications for some time it must have been clear that it was essential for the emergency services.

“I have come to the conclusion that the potential risk to the public on such a large scale; the cost of putting right the damage and the futility of the whole enterprise mean that I cannot deal with this in any way other than a custodial sentence.”

A police spokeswoman said, “A security review of all radio masts in the Tayside area has been carried out since this incident and a number of security measures have been introduced.”