A fifth man has been charged with conspiracy to steal and criminal damage with intent to endanger life after power cables were cut at QEQM Hospital in Margate in February.
Thomas Kiely, 27, of Tower Hamlets, London was arrested on Wednesday, April 3. He was charged with the offences by detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate.
Mr Kiely has been remanded to appear before Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court today (April 5).
The arrest was made in connection with a power cut at around 7.15pm on February 20, where the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital was plunged into darkness. Power was not restored until just before 11pm.
Ambulances had to divert to the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford as the department was unable to accept any more patients. Doctors and nurses were reduced to working by torchlight and mobile phone lights.
Kent Fire and Rescue was brought in to provide emergency flood lighting. Other areas of the hospital were unaffected.
Four other men were previously arrested on February 21 in connection with the incident:
Noel Mahoney, 23, of Bow, London
Patrick Kiely, 35, of Bromley-by-Bow, London
James Kiely, 37, of Shipston on Stour, Warwickshire
Jonathon Whitty, 38 of Bow, London
All four were charged with criminal damage with intent to endanger life and attempted theft, and have been remanded in custody to appear at Birmingham Crown Court for a hearing on a date to be confirmed.
