Trainee pilot stole £11k worth of Michael Kors and Swarovski jewellery and watches from duty free shop in Gatwick Airport
The thief sobbed as she was spared jail
A FEMALE trainee pilot has been spared jail after stealing more than £11,000 worth of luxury goods from an airport duty free shop.
Lavanyah Anandarooban was working part-time at the World Duty Free jewellers at Gatwick when she lifted the designer goods.
The 23-year-old, who was studying to become a full-time pilot, nabbed jewellery and watches designed by Michael Kors.
She also took bracelets and charms, a purse and large number of Swarovski items during a seven-month spree.
Crawley Magistrates Court heard how Anandarooban was arrested after cops found a stash of stolen items at her home in Walthamstow, east London.
The thefts were uncovered during a stock check in April. Bosses rigged up a CCTV camera to catch the worker in the act.
Probation worker Lesley Clark told the court: "She stole just over £11,000 worth of goods.
"She has been to university, and has been learning to fly (commercial) aircraft - she is a very talented and skilled person.
"She wasn't able to comprehend custody, she has no perception of what it would be like and was too upset and fearful of what it would be like.
"She is capable academically, a curfew would not be suitable but I do think she would suitable for unpaid work."
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Andrew Bullivant, defending, told the court that another member of staff had 'coerced' into taking the items, but added: "She does take responsibility for what she has doing.
"I doubt this young lady would ever grace a criminal court again. This is something which will live with her for the rest of her life."
Anandarooban, who graduated with a degree in Air Transport with Commercial Pilot Training at Bucks New University in 2014, admitted the theft by employee between January and July this year.
She sobbed as she was given a 12 month community order, 150 hours unpaid work and fined £145.
Sergeant Darren Taylor, of the Gatwick Airport Policing Team, said: "This conviction sends a clear message that theft on any scale - whether you are a passenger or an employee at Gatwick Airport - will not be tolerated.
"The vast majority of items stolen by Anandarooban have been recovered and returned to World Duty Free."
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