Jailed, cleaner who stole an airport truck and trolleys

AN AIRPORT worker stole a vehicle used by ground staff to transport luggage trolleys and drove it 15 miles to his home after being told his grandfather had died.

Paisley Sheriff Court yesterday heard that Christopher Barrie, of Carntyne, Glasgow, was banned from driving at the time of the offence last year.

The court was told that the vehicle was recovered after police went to the 33-year-old’s home to investigate a disturbance – but the trolleys, worth a total of £2,000, were missing.

Barrie pleaded guilty to stealing the vehicle and the trolleys, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.

Procurator Fiscal Depute Fiona Holligan said the offences were committed on March 26 last year while Barrie was at Glasgow Airport, where he worked as a cleaner.

She explained: ‘The accused signed in and then spoke to one of his supervisors who held the keys to the vehicle, which is described as “a flatbed airport trolley van” adapted for the use of airport staff to move and replenish trolleys at the terminal at the airport.

‘He approached the supervisor and asked for the keys to recover his hi-visibility jacket, which he had left in the vehicle.

‘The supervisor then handed the keys over on the condition that Mr Barrie return them once he had recovered his jacket. He didn’t return.’

It then became clear that the vehicle was missing and the matter was reported to police.

But the vehicle was tracked down only 16 hours later, when officers were called to a disturbance at Barrie’s flat.

The officers spotted the vehicle but the trolleys were missing.

Sheriff James Spy jailed Barrie for 11 months, reduced from 12, as he had admitted his guilt.

After hearing that Barrie was already banned from driving until 2034, Sheriff Spy extended the period by four years.

He told Barrie: ‘It seems to me to be quite bizarre that you needed to get home and decided to take an airport vehicle which was full of trolleys.’