Matchday medic spared prison for Etihad theft spree

A TRUSTED matchday medic at Manchester City who carried out a four-year 'thieving spree' from the Etihad - selling items he swiped on eBay- has escaped an immediate jail sentence.

- By PAUL BRITTON

David McNally was said to have 'thrown away' his long medical career because he 'simply wanted a bit of extra cash' to top up his paramedic's wage.

A judge who suspended McNally's sentence called his thefts 'breathtakingly brazen' and said he had brought 'embarrassment and disgrace' on himself and his family.

The 47-year-old, who was a North West Ambulance Service paramedic for more than 20 years until his arrest, was based at City’s stadium for around a decade as a 'casual' matchday medic.

A court heard he had an ID badge and enjoyed 'privileged' access 'all over the club' as the most senior paramedic on matchday duties at times, but a judge told him he had allowed 'greed to overcome' his better judgement.