BA worker faces flights fraud charge
A FORMER British Airways worker has appeared in court accused of pocketing more than £360,000 by submitting false flight delay claims.
Anthony Robertson was employed as a call handler to deal with customer flight delay compensation claims when he is alleged to have entered fake information into the airline’s database and taken the cash himself.
The 40-year-old was suspected of running the scam over a period of seven years between July 2009 and May 2016.
Robertson, of Grassholm Place, Longbenton, appeared at North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, where he spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address and to confirm he was withholding his plea to one count of fraud by false representation.
Rebecca Slade, prosecuting, said the total amount Robertston was suspected of fraudulently pocketing was £366,963.72.
She added: “The Crown believes this case should be submitted to the crown court.
“It involves a compensation scheme for delayed flights.
“The defendant was previously employed by BA as a call handler and it is alleged he facilitated a large number of compensation claims to benefit from them himself.”
The court heard the alleged offence happened at BA’s Newcastle office.
Lewis Pearson, defending, added: “I have no representations with regard to venue.”
Magistrates declined jurisdiction and sent to the case to Newcastle Crown Court. Robertson was released on unconditional bail to next appear there on December 22.