RAF Employee Stole Tornado Jet Fuel To Fill Up His Van

A former employee at an RAF base stole £660 of fuel from a Tornado jet to fill up his van.

Steve Coakley, 42, admitted theft by employee after being caught stealing waste aviation fuel from RAF Marham, Norfolk.

Military police set up CCTV cameras for a surveillance operation after being given an anonymous tip.

King's Lynn Magistrates' Court heard that Coakley also used the substance in his girlfriend's car and an air compressor, according to the Daily Mail. Josephine Jones, prosecuting, said:

"This was not just one vehicle - it was a number of vehicles with other parties. It appears that his involvement was much greater, he had been doing it for a couple of years."

"His police interview covered a shorter period of two months, between September and November last year."

Coakley, now unemployed, was given a 12-month community order and was ordered to undertake 50 hours of unpaid work, as well as paying an £85 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

The court heard he is now living off income he receives from rental properties he owns. Ruth Johnson, defending Coakley, said:

"He made a full and frank admission and admitted that it was on and off and not a regular occurrence.

"He is a civil individual now. He is not employed by RAF Marham and is no longer with his partner. This incident has put him significantly out of pocket."

Coakley's vehicles, including a seven and a half ton lorry, were handed over to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs after he avoided paying tax - making a total loss of £4,500.

The court heard that police had found fuel stored in three jerrycans in his van, as well as a 110-gallon container in his garden.

Cover image a file photo of a Tornado GR4 undercarriage.

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