Burglar Nicked Car Parts From Team McLaren

An audacious burglar, who used a McLaren staffer’s security card to steal valuable car parts from the Formula One teams’s HQ, has been giving a prison warning today.

Michael James Langton, 29, twice walked out of the motorsport giant’s Woking base with thousands of pounds worth of automotive tech.

He claims he was under extreme pressure to repay a drugs debt.

Langton, of Chapman Road, Croydon pleaded guilty to burgling the McLaren Technology Centre, Woking on July 24 and August 10, last year.

He also pleaded guilty to fraud, by false representation, namely using an access card in the name of Mark Shepherd to enter the HQ on those two dates and on August 21.

The value of the car parts stolen during Langton’s second burglary was £7,040.

He is currently subject to a suspended prison sentence, imposed for a separate offence of theft.

Judge Judith Coello told Langton at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court: “It is not possible to sentence you today for this.

“It is connected to matters that you were sentenced to a suspended sentence for.

“The court will keep all options open and that does include the possibility of a custodial sentence.”

Langton was bailed unconditionally to return to court for a pre-sentence report on March 21.