A group of ten aircraft cleaning staff subcontracted to service Aer Lingus aircraft at Manchester Airport have been convicted after being caught on covert surveillance stealing alcohol, cigarettes, and snacks from onboard stock.
Manchester Crown Court heard that secret cameras were installed on two Aer Lingus aircraft following reports of “significant stock loss” during flights operating between Manchester and New York in May and June 2023.
This incident highlights the ongoing issues of theft within aircraft operations and the need for better security measures.
The operation revealed systematic theft by cleaners working for a third-party company. Over several days in July and August last year, hidden surveillance captured the cleaners breaking security seals and rummaging through sealed trolleys and aircraft storage containers.
The convicted individuals are Connor Brooks, 28; Jonathan Etchells, 39; Dylan Nelson, 20; Richard Armer, 28; Usman Ghani, 25; Katie Moran, 36; Ciaran Lynch, 31; Mark Hicks, 37; Roman Mahmood, 21; and Shawn Bailey, 52. All pleaded guilty to theft charges.
Prosecutor Philip Hall told the court that the staff were seen cutting into sealed containers and using tools, including a “red axe,” to access tightly secured stores.
On July 29, Brooks and Bailey were observed weighing containers to identify valuable contents. Brooks remarked, “Nah, s*** again man,” while Etchells dismissed the haul, saying, “It’s not worth doing.” Prosecutors noted this demonstrated the thefts had been ongoing for several days.
Brooks was later recorded instructing Ghani to “get your clippers” to access a container reportedly “full of Pringles.” The footage captured alcohol and cigarette cartons being removed, with Brooks seen stuffing miniature liquor bottles into a pillowcase.
The investigation into the aircraft cleaning staff has raised questions about the protocols in place to protect the resources on these aircraft.
In another exchange, Moran jokingly told colleagues “you’re under arrest” as they rifled through containers. Etchells and Moran were also recorded discussing how much perfume they had “at home,” prompting Brooks to reply, “I want more, or is that too greedy?”
On August 1, Armer and another staff member used a red axe to break into a container to retrieve three tubes of Pringles. “He appears to have gone to a lot of effort to steal some crisps,” noted Mr Hall. Moments later, more snacks were taken from other compartments as laughter was heard in the background.
The court heard that the thefts were not opportunistic but indicative of a recurring pattern.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of integrity within the aircraft cleaning industry.
Brooks admitted to stealing over multiple days, boasting, “I’ve hit it for the last five,” while Nelson acknowledged the scale of the theft, saying, “Nice little day today, Connor.”
Each of the ten defendants awaits sentencing following their guilty pleas.
Such criminal actions can significantly impact the reputation and operational costs for airlines managing numerous aircraft.
Editing by M10News Crime Desk | Contact: crime@m10news.com
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Ensuring the security of aircraft resources is crucial for maintaining service quality and customer trust.
