Man found “not criminally responsible” for mobile mast damage - Jersey Evening Post
by James Sharp · Jersey Evening PostPosted inNews
Man found “not criminally responsible” for mobile mast damage
by James Sharp 25 June 202625 June 2026
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An Islander who vandalised five mobile phone network sites and a BBC Radio Jersey mast has been found “not criminally responsible” for his actions because he was suffering with a mental health disorder.
Mariusz Szymanski (45) caused £79,893 worth of damage to Jersey Telecoms when he used an angle grinder to hack through 5G cables across five of their sites between 2 and 4 July 2025.
He also caused over £4,000 worth of damage to British telecommunications company Arqiva after maliciously damaging a BBC Radio Jersey medium wave transmitter, padlock and satellite dish.
It was heard that Szymanski began targeting a series of 5G mobile phone networks initially rolled out by JT Group and Ericsson in January 2025.
However, two expert medical practitioners found Mr Szymanski to be suffering from a schizophrenic psychotic illness at the time of the relevant offences.
As a result, it was found that he was “suffering from a mental health disorder to such a substantial degree that he ought not to be held criminally responsible”.
Crown Advocate Luke Sette, prosecuting, said that Mr Szymanski had been found “cutting various wires on equipment, resulting in outages or disruption to the BBC radio broadcast and mobile phone signals in associated areas”.
He pointed out that the impact on mobile phone coverage was “mitigated” as “JT were able to switch back to legacy mobile sites already in places before the new masts were installed”.
Taking into account the defendant’s serious mental illness, the prosecutor asked for a treatment order and for Mr Szymanski to return to Orchard House mental health unit, where he is currently being treated.
Deputy Bailiff Mark Temple, presiding, agreed with Advocate Sette’s argument, before also confirming that no compensation order covering damages for either Arqiva or JT Group would be made.
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