A Heathrow employee has today been jailed for 18 months for stealing cargo items bound for US military personnel serving in the Middle East.

Paul Embery, 41, of Holmes Way, Littlehampton, previously pleaded guilty to theft on March 20.

He was jailed alongside Kieran McKeown, 34, of Staines Road West, Ashford, Surrey.

The men were arrested after police at Heathrow began an investigation into the theft of cargo items passing through the airport destined for overseas locations, including the Middle East and Afghanistan.

A Metropolitan Police statement said: “As a result of the operation, Embery and his supervisor, McKeown - who worked at the airport - were arrested on suspicion of theft on December 17, 2013, and a significant quantity of high value electrical items and other property was recovered. Embery was subsequently charged with five counts of theft by employee and two counts of possession of criminal property.

“McKeown was charged with two counts of theft by employee and one count of possessing criminal property.

“Their offences - which occurred between November and December 2013 - incorporated a significant breach of trust in the roles they performed within the airport.

“They orchestrated a large number of premeditated thefts from the airport. Their crime was made worse in that a proportion of the mail intercepted and stolen was destined for US military personnel serving in the Middle East.”

Detective Inspector Ian Robinson, said: "This case highlights the commitment of SO18 - Aviation Security to combat criminality at Heathrow, particularly involving airport employees.

“We hope this will deter anyone from committing crime in and around the confines of Heathrow Airport."