High value electrical items were destined for overseas
Two men have been jailed at Isleworth Crown Court today (May 2nd) following an investigation by police officers based at Heathrow.
Paul Embery, 41 of Holmes Way, Littlehampton, West Sussex and Kieran McKeown, 34 of Staines Road West, Ashford, Surrey were both sentenced to 18 months.
They had both previously pleaded guilty on Thursday, 20 March.
The men were arrested after police at Heathrow began an investigation into the theft of cargo items passing through the airport destined for overseas locations, including the Middle East and Afghanistan.
As a result of the operation, Embery and his supervisor, McKeown - who worked at the airport - were arrested on suspicion of theft on 17 December 2013 and a significant quantity of high value electrical items and other property was recovered.
Embery was subsequently charged with five counts of theft by employee and two counts of possession of criminal property.
McKeown was charged with two counts of theft by employee and one count of possessing criminal property
Their offences - which occurred between November and December 2013- incorporated a significant breach of trust in the roles they performed within the airport. They orchestrated a large number of premeditated thefts from the airport. Their crime was made worse in that a proportion of the mail intercepted and stolen was destined for US military personnel serving in the Middle East.
Detective Inspector Ian Robinson, said: "This case highlights the commitment of SO18 - Aviation Security to combat criminality at Heathrow, particularly involving airport employees. We hope this will deter anyone from committing crime in and around the confines of Heathrow Airport."
May 2, 2014