A REDDITCH firm which illegally accessed Severn Trent Water hydrants has been prosecuted.

Kelly Plant Hire Ltd, based in Astwood Lane, Feckenham, pleaded guilty to the charge and was ordered to pay £1,550, including costs, at Nuneaton Magistrates Court on November 7.

The road sweeping company received a warning for illegal hydrant use earlier this year but was caught again in Warwick and prosecuted.

Dan Littlewood, from Severn Trent, said: “We take illegal hydrant use really seriously, as it’s just not fair to our customers to have their water affected because some people believe they’re above the law.

“We don’t want our customer’s to have murky or no water at all, as it’s important that water is always there when they need it, whether it’s for cooking, cleaning or just having a cup of tea.

“The fire service also rely on water and the use of our hydrants, so if in an emergency they cannot use the hydrant because it’s broken – then it can have very serious consequences.”