Lost property man on theft charge

A 50-year-old man who ran an airport lost property office pocketed many of the items deposited with him.

Simon Hepper, from Dunmow, Essex, took 14 wallets, 11 mobile phones and two iPods in a little over six months, a court heard.

Suspicions were raised and in a police raid on Mr Hepper's home valuables lost on budget flights were found, Chelmsford Crown Court heard.

Mr Hepper denies 33 counts of theft between November 2005 and June 2006.

Prosecutor Gerrard Pounder said Mr Hepper was arrested after a wallet planted on a plane by police disappeared.

Items not reunited

"The wallet was later found at Mr Hepper's home near the airport, along with other lost items," he said.

Mr Hepper ran the lost property office, dealing with valuables lost on easyJet and Ryanair flights.

Mr Pounder said travellers who lost valuables on flights would be given Mr Hepper's office number by airlines.

"The only reason for having a lost property system would be to reunite the loser with his property. That is self evident," said Mr Pounder.

"But many items were not reunited and it was perceived there was a problem and the Essex police became involved."

The case continues.