AN air force student volunteer reservist has admitted stealing aircraft parts, uniform and equipment from an RAF base.

Cameron Milburn was a member of the Northumbrian Universities Air Squadron (NUAS) when he carried out the thefts at RAF Leeming, in North Yorkshire, between 2015 and 2018.

NUAS is a volunteer reserve unit for students from Durham, Newcastle, Northumbria, Sunderland and Teesside universities.

It recruits students annually with weekly training nights in Newcastle, while it uses RAF Leeming as its flying headquarters.

York Crown Court was told the items stolen by Milburn included aircraft parts, a helmet and helmet components, keys, clothing, an identity card belonging to NUAS and two bicycles.

Michael Cahill, prosecuting, told the court: “There is a degree of breach of trust and responsibility, given the position he was in and the items he has taken.”

He said Milburn used his squadron status to enable him to steal the various items.

Chris Morrison, representing Milburn, said: “These offences are effectively the dishonest retention of items he acquired during the tenancy, in relation to the position he held at the air squadron.”

But Mr Morrison said Milburn no longer holds the position and his actions, “put his career aims in ruins”.

He was now said to work for a bus company.

Milburn, 25, of Ashford Drive, Sacriston, near Durham, admitted four counts of theft, all committed at RAF Leeming, between January 2015 and March 2018.

His not guilty pleas to other charges, relating to the theft of aircraft parts at RAF Topcliffe, in August 2018, plus navigation aids, charts and a great coat, from the Volunteer Gliding Squadron RAF cadet force, were “accepted” by the prosecution.

The court was told that upon arrest he admitted having items that, “have fallen into my possession in previous months and years.”

Sentencing was adjourned pending preparation of a background report by the Probation Service.

Bailing Milburn to return for sentence on August 23 Judge Simon Hickey said he would not impose a prison sentence.

Leeming air base is home to the RAF’s no 100 squadron as well as both NUAS and the Yorkshire UAS.

 

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