Overview

• Manchester Crown Court sentenced ten subcontracted cleaners in July 2025 to 12-month community orders, assigning 80 to 100 hours of unpaid work each.
• Judge Nicholas Dean KC described the misconduct as ‘a form of casual theft’ that became systematic and highlighted a breach of trust.
• Surveillance from July 29 to August 4, 2023 recorded €1,290.10 in direct cabin stock losses, with wider thefts estimated at about €200,000.
• The workers used tools to cut security seals on trolleys and containers, making off with alcohol, cigarettes, perfumes and Pringles over multiple days.
• The verdict has underscored vulnerabilities in subcontractor monitoring and security protocols for in-flight inventory.