Mark Smith sentenced following Heathrow ticketing fraud in London, England

A man was sentenced to three years imprisonment at Isleworth Crown Court yesterday (16 August) for fraud offences in relation to an airline ticket scam.

Mark Smith, 36, of Eleanors Close, Thundridge , Ware, Herts was charged with one count of Conspiracy to Commit Fraud contrary to the Criminal Law Act 1977; and four counts of Transferring Criminal Property contrary to the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

British Airways alerted police in May 2008 to irregularities in relation to the purchase of their flight tickets.

Whilst working for the airline, Mark Smith bought low-price advance flight tickets and arranged for the dates on them to be changed. He would then sell them onto the public as last minute tickets at a much higher rate, making him a considerable profit.

Three people were arrested in October 2008 in connection with the investigation and were subsequently charged with fraud offences. Following trial at Isleworth Crown Court, two defendants were acquitted of any involvement in the scam and Mark Smith was found guilty.

Detective Inspector Barry Slade of Heathrow said:

"Mark Smith abused his trusted position to defraud his employers and mislead the general public who purchased tickets from him in good faith. This conviction shows that police will work closely with an airline to detect this type of crime and bring those responsible before the court."