A former Starbucks employee working at Manchester Airport has been jailed after confessing to stealing more than £3,000 from the coffee shop's till.
Kieran Duggan, 23, was employed at the Starbucks branch within Terminal 1 when he carried out the thefts over several months. Greater Manchester Police launched an investigation after discrepancies were noticed in the till records.
Duggan, from Salford, pleaded guilty to theft by employee at Liverpool Crown Court. He was sentenced to 10 months in prison.
How the Theft Was Discovered
Management at the Starbucks outlet became suspicious when financial audits revealed unexplained shortages in the till. After reviewing CCTV footage and transaction logs, investigators identified Duggan as the culprit.
Police confirmed that Duggan had been systematically stealing cash from the register while working shifts at the busy airport location.
Court Proceedings
At Liverpool Crown Court, the judge noted that Duggan had abused his position of trust. The prosecution stated that the total amount stolen was £3,200.
In mitigation, Duggan's defence team said their client had shown remorse and was struggling with personal issues at the time of the offences.
Sentencing Duggan, the judge emphasized that employee theft has serious consequences for businesses and undermines trust in the workplace.
Airport Security Implications
The case has raised questions about vetting procedures for staff working in secure airport environments. Manchester Airport has stated that all employees undergo background checks before being granted airside access.
A Starbucks spokesperson said: "We have strict financial controls in place and work closely with authorities when any irregularities are identified."
Greater Manchester Police confirmed the investigation was conducted in cooperation with airport security teams.
