The medic is said to have stolen more than £70,000 worth of kits, medical equipment, and football boots
A medic who carried out a "thieving spree" at a Premier League stadium has been ordered to pay thousands of pounds in compensation.David McNally worked as a North West Ambulance Service paramedic, and was based at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium as a matchday medic.
After close to a decade of working at the stadium, it was discovered that he had been stealing items including, medical equipment, branded kits, and Sergio Agüero's football boots.
The paramedic, who had worked in the role for more than 20 years, would go on to sell the goods on eBay.A judge described McNally’s thefts as "breathtakingly brazen", and said he had brought "embarrassment and disgrace" on himself and his family. He avoided jail and received a suspended sentence.
McNally, 47, has now been ordered to pay Manchester City £24,676.35 in compensation by a judge at Manchester Crown Court.
The judge, Recorder Jeremy Lasker, said that if he fails to repay the sum within three months, he could face a six month prison sentence.
McNally’s sentencing hearing in March heard that McNally had an ID badge at the Etihad and enjoyed "privileged" access "all over the club" as the most senior paramedic on matchday at times.McNally, a father-of-two, swiped a tracksuit from women's changing rooms at the ground in February 2023. It sparked a complaint and an internal investigation by the club.CCTV images captured him entering the changing rooms and leaving again, before walking out to his parked car and putting an orange drinks container he was holding in his boot.
The medic worked at the stadium for more than a decade. Credit: PA Images
Police were called in by the club and it later emerged McNally controlled an eBay account.A warrant was then executed at his home in Helmshore, Lancashire, where police found 108 items including medical equipment, holdalls full of Manchester City kit, footballs, football boots, items of City-branded clothing and nutritional items.It emerged he had sold hundreds of items he had stolen from the club on the online auction house. The theft, she said, amounted to £75,000, with items worth £24,000 sold online that couldn't be recovered by the club.All teams at the club, from the academy to the women's team and the first team, were affected, prosecutors said.McNally 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 striker Sergio Aguero.The thefts, committed between June 2019 and May 2023, were "clearly organised", the prosecution said.
Dan Calder, defending, said McNally wanted to issue a personal apology.
He said: "It is a matter of profound shame for him personally and professionally. He wishes to apologise to all those affected by his conduct. His remorse is genuine and sincere."
Mr Calder said the thefts began with some "opportunistic, trivial items", but "progressed and escalated". He said McNally stole the items simply to "supplement his income".
Mr Calder said: "His medical career is over... His reputation, a reputation he has built over decades, he recognises lies in tatters."Judge Kate Cornell sentenced him to 10 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, McNally was also ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid work in the community and subjected to a curfew.The judge said: "You have thrown away your career in the paramedic service and I have to ask, for what? You simply wanted a bit of extra cash."Judge Cornell said she believed McNally saw the Premier League club as "fair game" because of its riches, but said his actions were "wholly out of character". McNally had no previous convictions. There was no reference made in court to any lavish spending of the proceeds of his crimes.
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