A 45-YEAR-OLD woman obtained over £1,000 of electricity without paying for it after placing a magnet on the meter in her Enniskillen home, Fermanagh Magistrates Court has heard.

Michelle Johnston, of Windmill Heights, pleaded guilty to dishonestly using a quantity of electricity at her property on February 9 this year.

The court heard that, at around 1.25pm, police searched the address at Windmill Heights under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

The officers observed that a magnet had been attached to the electricity meter. After the defendant was arrested, an Northern Ireland Electricity engineer was tasked to the property to make checks. Johnston’s electricity provider was also contacted.

It emerged that the defendant had obtained electricity worth £1,348.31 without paying for it from January 26, 2015 until February 9, 2016.

Johnston attended Enniskillen police station for interview on April 7 and admitted placing a magnet on the meter. The defendant told officers she recognised it was an offence.

Defending solicitor, Emer Cox, told the court that her client had already paid back £347.20 to the electricity company. Judge, Neil Rafferty, observed that she would get credit for that, but added that “it’s still a crime”. The judge imposed a £100 fine and a £15 offender levy.