A former easyJet flight attendant has been sentenced after stealing more than £30,000 worth of tobacco to fund his cocaine habit. Lyren Maddix, 29, who had been a cabin crew member for over eight years, was caught following a security breach at Manchester Airport.
The thefts
In the early hours of January 28 last year, a colleague noticed that crates at Manchester Airport had been broken into. Packets of Amber Leaf tobacco, intended for sale on flights, were missing. CCTV footage revealed Maddix was responsible, Manchester Crown Court heard.
Maddix had gone to the airport on his day off, wearing his full uniform, and used his security pass to access restricted areas, even entering an aircraft. He was arrested at home later that day, where two packets of tobacco were found.
Investigation and admission
Police discovered Maddix had stolen tobacco 26 times between August 4, 2024 and January 28, 2025. The total value of the stolen items was £30,082, according to the Manchester Evening News.
Maddix told police he sold the packs to a shop to pay off drug debt and buy more cocaine. He initially downplayed the number of thefts but later admitted fully to his actions.
Court proceedings
In mitigation, defence lawyer Besty Hindle said Maddix had no previous convictions and was a 'valued member of staff' who 'adored' his job. She explained that he began struggling with mental ill-health and 'wasn't given the support he thought he should have been'. Maddix started taking cocaine 'on an almost daily basis' to cope.
Ms Hindle added: "His habit became out of control and those drugs had to be paid for." She noted that Maddix 'didn't even realise how much he had taken' when confronted, and said he was adamant he hadn't taken that much, but accepts now he certainly must have.
Maddix has a 'depressive disorder' diagnosis and has previously attempted to take his own life. He was enjoying his new job at Tesco, where bosses have 'given him a lot more assistance than his previous employer'.
Sentencing
Recorder Ben Lawrence acknowledged Maddix's mental health difficulties and that he was at a 'particular low point' at the time of the offences. However, he noted: "You didn't have your hand in the till for the odd £20 note. You stole a very significant amount of money over a very significant period of time - and you spent it primarily on drugs."
He said Maddix was afforded a 'high degree of trust' as cabin crew, with identity documents that could get him into areas of the airport and aircraft that people ought not to go unless they had good reason.
Recorder Lawrence believed Maddix had 'good prospects of rehabilitation', which, along with a delay in sentencing and 'reasonably strong mitigation', meant he was 'just about persuaded' to suspend a prison sentence.
Maddix, of Northampton, was given a term of a year and four months, suspended for two years. He was ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid work, 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days, and pay costs of £300.
Following the hearing, an easyJet spokesperson said: "We fully supported the police with this case and the individual hasn't worked for easyJet since their arrest over 18 months ago."
