Jaspreet Oberoi, a 40-year-old Indian-origin director of a scrap metal company, has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for his involvement in the theft of train track rails from Network Rail in the UK. His company, JSJ Metal Recycling Ltd, played a central role in the operation, collecting stolen rails and selling them as scrap metal for profit. The thefts occurred on at least 125 occasions and are estimated to be worth billions of pounds.
Oberoi was convicted of conspiracy to steal after a series of trials dating back to 2022. Along with six other individuals, he was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court for his role in the thefts. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) described the conspiracies as significant and motivated by greed, with no regard for the essential rail services or public safety risks posed by stealing trackside.
The thefts occurred between March and November 2016, with Oberoi and his associates stealing rail from Network Rail trackside and depot locations in the East of England. The stolen rails were then transported to JSJ Metal Recycling Ltd, where they were sold for profit. Insiders with knowledge of rail locations provided information to the thieves, and heavy goods vehicles, aided by railway contractors, were used to transport the stolen rail to Oberoi's company.
During the investigation, British Transport Police uncovered another conspiracy involving Network Rail Manager Ricky Collins, who passed information about stockpiled rail locations to Oberoi through intermediaries. This additional conspiracy took place from May to November 2016 across multiple locations.
Oberoi, Collins, and others involved were convicted after several trials. The sentences ranged from 12 to 30 months in prison, with some sentences suspended for two years. The CPS has initiated proceedings to recover the stolen assets through its Proceeds of Crime Division.
