FOUR men, who were part of a six-strong gang, admitted stealing £650,000 of cable from the railway.

The thefts, which affected train lines in Essex, Leicestershire, Buckinghamshire and London, caused havoc on the railways.

Christopher Cruz, 33 of Mellow Purgess Close, Laindon, Kris Kreuder 36 of Elizabeth Way, Laindon, Shaun Nembhard, 44 of Coopersales, Basildon and John Newton, 36 of Newberry Side - Laindon, admitted the theft at Blackfriars Crown Court alongside two others.

The gang are now awaiting sentence.

*Full story in Monday's Echo