A paramedic from Lancashire has admitted stealing 'at least £75k-worth' of equipment from Manchester City over a four-year period while serving on the matchday medical team at the Etihad stadium.
David McNally, an employee of North West Ambulance Service (NWAS), sold football boots, medical equipment, and branded kits and tracksuits on eBay, earning £24,676 over several years. The 47-year-old also admitted to stealing valuable memorabilia, including eight signed men's first team football shirts valued at £1,000 each, a signed banner from their 2021/22 Champion's League campaign, and 'personalised football boots' made for Sergio Aguero.
Suspicions were raised when a women's player's tracksuit disappeared in February 2023. McNally, from Helmshore, was identified as a suspect following reviews of CCTV footage. Further investigation by club security revealed an eBay account owned by McNally selling 'a number of Manchester City items' stolen over a four-year period, reports the M.E.N.
The police were notified and a search warrant was executed at McNally's home in Rossendale. Officers discovered a 'large quantity' of items including holdalls, football kits, football boots and nutrition equipment.
Police also found a signed banner from City's 2021/22 Champions League campaign and personalised football boots made for first team players at his property. Appearing at Manchester Magistrates' Court on Wednesday (December 11), McNally pleaded guilty to theft.
Prosecuting, Steve Woodman said the total value of items reached nearly £100,000, including profits made from eBay. Representing McNally, Kirsty Cobey said the figure was incorrect and that the items in his house and those sold online totalled £75,000.
"This is clearly quite a breach of trust over a significant period of time," Mr Woodman told magistrates. "The security team said that the items stolen included massage guns, compression pads, eight signed shirts with a value of £8,000 in total, one City banner that was used in the changing rooms in the 2021/22 Champion's League campaign, signed by the team.
"They were wondering where it had gone, and it was found at his house. There were also bespoke football boots for players such as Sergio Aguero and Aymeric Laporte."
Mitigating, Ms Cobey said McNally was a man of previous good character who 'worked as a paramedic with no blemishes on his record for over 15 years'. Chair of the bench Matthew Ainsworth adjourned the hearing for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.
He warned McNally his case could still be dealt with at the Crown Court and that he could face a jail sentence. McNally, of Cherry Tree Way, Helmshore, Lancashire, will next appear at Manchester Magistrates' Court on February 11, 2025.
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