A 29-year-old easyJet flight attendant has been given a suspended prison sentence for stealing more than £30,000 worth of tobacco over a seven-month period to fund a cocaine habit.
Lyren Maddix, who had worked for the airline for over eight years, pleaded guilty to one count of theft by employee. He was sentenced to one year and four months imprisonment, suspended for two years, at Manchester Crown Court. He was also ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid work and ten rehabilitation activity requirement days, and pay £300 in costs.
The thefts occurred between August 4, 2024, and January 28, 2025. Maddix, based at Manchester Airport, used his security pass to access restricted areas, including aircraft, to steal packets of Amber Leaf tobacco intended for sale on flights. CCTV footage identified Maddix as the perpetrator.
Maddix was arrested on January 28, 2025, after a colleague discovered that several crates of tobacco had been broken into. Police found two packets of tobacco at his home. He initially downplayed the extent of his thefts but later admitted to stealing tobacco on 26 separate occasions.
During court proceedings, it was revealed that Maddix sold the stolen tobacco to a shop to pay off drug debts and purchase more cocaine. His defense attorney stated that Maddix had begun struggling with mental ill-health and started using drugs to cope, with his cocaine use escalating to an almost daily basis.
Maddix has a diagnosed depressive disorder and had previously attempted suicide. His defense highlighted that his new employer at Tesco has provided him with more support than easyJet. The judge acknowledged Maddix's mental health difficulties and noted that he was at a "particular low point" during the offenses. However, the judge emphasized the significant amount stolen over an extended period and its primary use for drugs, while also recognizing Maddix's "good prospects of rehabilitation."