Airport valet admits stealing from customers’ cars
A valet for a meet-and-greet parking service at Manchester Airport who stole items from customers’ cars including cash, an iPad and designer sunglassess, has been given a suspended prison sentence.
Mirosla Maciag, 56, who ransacked customers’ cars for items they had left behind, was caught after a police sting operation following complaints from customers who found their belongings missing when collecting their cars at the end of their holidays.
Police officers placed £25 in cash inside an Audi car that Maciag was instructed to park and he was later found with the cash in his pocket.
On searching his home near Rochdale, officers found various stolen items including several pairs of designer sunglasses.
At Manchester Magistrates Court Maciag, who was employed by Manchester Airport’s Meet and Greet service, admitted theft of items from four cars between October and November last year, but he denied stealing items from another six.
The court accepted his denial after he insisted colleagues also had access to the vehicles. These thefts remain unsolved.
He was sentenced to 18 months jail suspended for two years and was also ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.
He was also ordered to pay £200 in costs and surcharges.
All of the stolen items have been recovered.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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