Gatwick Airport workers jailed for £2.4m catering theft scam caught on CCTV

 

Gatwick Airport workers who plotted to steal millions of pounds from their employer are caught red-handed in a CCTV footage.

Masses of cigarettes, perfumes, alcohol and electrical goods with a combined value of £2,432,665 were stolen in the scam between January 1 and August 1 2013.

The large-scale conspiracy was carried out by employees who loaded planes with items belonging to a catering company which supplies airlines at the airport .

More than 80 police officers from Surrey, Sussex and Kent arrested 15 suspects on July 9 2013 at various addresses across the south east.

At Lewes Crown Court last Friday (June 17), 12 defendants were jailed for a total of almost of 35 years after being convicted of conspiracy to steal and money laundering. Another three defendants were convicted but given suspended sentences.

In February 2013, the catering company was made aware of what appeared to be a large stock discrepancy of dutiable goods at Gatwick Airport .

After an internal investigation identified a large-scale theft by a number of employees, the company approached Sussex Police for assistance.

Inspector Andy Richardson said: “This was a well-organised operation on a huge scale in which a number of individuals conspired to steal millions of pounds worth of goods from a catering company.

“In doing so, they breached the trust of their employer.

“Theft on any level is totally unacceptable. It will not be tolerated and if you are caught, it’s highly likely you will lose your job and you may go to prison.”

Insp Richard added: “The extensive sentences given to those involved in this case demonstrates the seriousness of the offences and I sincerely hope they learn from their mistakes.

“However, the effects of their sentences are likely to continue long after their release from prison, as these individuals will find it more difficult to find future employment.

“These convictions are the result of an extensive operation and I would like to extend my gratitude to everyone involved in helping to bring these criminals to justice.”

The offenders jailed were:

• Keith Gosling, 58, a factory worker of Ashurst Way, East Preston (28 months)
• Durrell Corbin, 49, a painter of Home Close, Brixham, Devon (36 months)
• Cezary Kosobudski, 52, a factory worker of Cabourne Road, Grimsby, South Humberside (28 months)
• William Webber, 61, an assembler of Salisbury Road, Crawley (28 months)
• Peter Simmonds, 51, a telecommunications employee of Montgomery Drive, Bognor Regis (28 months)
• Pietro Bernone, 29, a driver of Oakapple Close, Crawley (32 months)
• Mindaugas Baranauskas, 36, unemployed, from Denchers Plat, Crawley (43 months)
• George Messenger, 57, an airline employee of Hobbs Industrial Estate, Lingfield (24 months)
• Alan Hunt, 58, an HGV driver of Titmus Drive, Crawley (24 months)
• Christopher Allen, 55, unemployed, from Lansdowne Way, Angmering (28 months)
• William Ayling, 62, a driver of Mayo Road, Brighton (28 months)
• Karamjeet Singh, 54, unemployed, from Richmond Road, Gillingham, Kent (48 months)

Richard Beaumont, 60, an HGV driver of Edinburgh Close, Southwater, West Sussex, and Stewart Morris, 54, a driver from Southwark Close, Crawley, were both convicted of conspiracy to steal but acquitted of money laundering. They were each sentenced to 24 months in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 180 hours of community work.

Viktorija Gudonyte, 33, a sales assistant of Lavington Close, Crawley, was convicted of theft and sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years.

getSURREY