News

Thomas Cook shop robbed by manager’s boyfriend

A Thomas Cook shop has been robbed by the shop manager’s boyfriend, according to reports


Last December Linda Simonini’s partner of 10 years disguised himself with a scarf, hat and sunglasses, walked into the shop in Lanarkshire and sprayed agent Allyson MacKenzie with petrol.


He then brandished a lighter and demanded money before forcing staff, including his girlfriend, into a toilet and making off with £1,185 and some foreign currency.


The boyfriend, Joseph McDonald, had apparently been too ashamed to admit that he had been made redundant from his warehouse job.


Police found him standing outside a health centre smelling strongly of petrol at which point he claimed he had found the bag he had used during the robbery.


The High Court in Glasgow heard he had carried out the raid after Simonini, who played no part in the robbery and still works for the operator, noticed his wages hadn’t been paid into their joint account.


The disguise failed however and Simonini, called the police. McDonald admitted assault and robbery and was remanded in custody to be sentenced next month.

Share article

View Comments

Jacobs Media is honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 Queen's Award for Enterprise.

The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more.