A train cleaner who stole a passenger’s wallet and spun a web of lies in a bid to cover his tracks, has been found guilty of theft.
William Keilly, 45, of Maes Cyttir, Holyhead , took a man’s wallet on board a train at Holyhead after the victim and his wife went to board a ferry for Ireland.
It was only when they reached the ferry terminal the victim realised his wallet – which contained their ferry tickets, as well as £60 cash and a SIM card – was missing.
He returned to the train and Keilly pretended to help the couple search for the missing wallet.
Despite looking round where they were sat and checking the toilets and bins, the wallet was nowhere to be found.
CCTV showed Keilly – who was employed by Axis Cleaning & Support Services - cleaning the train after its arrival at Holyhead on November 2 last year.
Images showed him clearing rubbish where the couple had sat before picking up a wallet from the table.
He then walked through the carriage, carrying the wallet, before entering the toilet.
When he emerged less than 30 seconds later, the wallet could no longer be seen.
On Tuesday June 21, Keilly was sentenced at Holyhead magistrates’ court after he was found guilty at an earlier trial.
He was ordered to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work and must pay £60 in compensation to the victim as well as £80 costs.
"Keilly will now lose his job as a result of this moment of foolishness"
Speaking after sentencing, PC Kevin Thomas from British Transport Police said: “Keilly is an opportunistic thief who abused his position of trust as a train cleaner for his own gain.
“He showed no remorse for his actions, continually lying to officers and the court and even had the nerve to help the victim search for his wallet.
“He was adamant throughout that the wallet he was seen holding on CCTV footage was, in fact, a tobacco pouch which he returned later that day to an unknown man who had left it on the train.
“This was clearly a thinly veiled attempt at a cover story as there was no evidence whatsoever to support Keilly’s version of events.
“This case should serve as a stark warning to anyone who even considers removing someone else’s property from a train with the intention of keeping it for themselves.
“Keilly will now lose his job as a result of this moment of foolishness and, as this incident clearly demonstrates, the railway network is a CCTV-rich environment and it is simply not worth the risk: you will be identified and you will be caught.”
see-http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/thieving-anglesey-train-cleaner-stole-11509956
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