The Wesley Andrew Tierney – Historic Aviation Walter Mitty

Do an internet search..you’ll find information on his new endeavors… And a comment by him on his past.

Wesley Andrew Tierney is back in the North Weald area, but moved onto vintage buses and trains now. Fournier Boy, are you able to private message me please, as want to find out more about him and I don’t seem to be able to private message you. Ta.

Did he go to the same school of deception as Ruprecht?…

Just to be clear, he didn’t pretend to fly for the BBMF, but he did dress to be seen to be part of the crew, rather than the merchandise team which is what he actually did.

He got away with it because he was very clever in how he went about things. Never did anybody from one group of friends, get to meet somebody from another group. He was also very good at giving enough detail of previous endeavours without giving specifics that could be easily followed up. It’s unfortunate that when he had been caught out previously, those that were affected were just glad to be rid of him from their lives to the extent that they didn’t follow up what he did next which would have warned others. Had he been publicly outed back when he was stealing from Syerston, it would have been unlikely he would have ended up being further employed in Essex. He was good at gaining people’s trust – he tells a very good, believable story which meant he was often seen around airfields with fairly respected people in the airshow community. He would arrive at the airfield by air, and his Facebook page was a wealth of flying activity of different types in different places – upon seeing that why would anyone need to question his credentials.

A pure fantasist is exactly what he is, but one prepared to put in enough homework to ensure his deception wasn’t noticed, but couldn’t be bothered to actually go through the effort to gain genuine licenses. Those that did feel cause to question his credentials a bit further were presented with very accurate forgeries, hence the seriousness of his crimes.

Still he persisted, and even when caught by the CAA and whilst awaiting trial for both cases, he gained employment as a museum curator – his continued desire to be around historical things of value showing through.

I ask the nods to please merge this thread with my original one which clearly states his name so that it stands as a searchable record of his activities. He can’t be allowed to fool others again as the cycle will just continue. He has caused Stress and hassle to important organisations in the industry we love, and in trying to escape punishment, has spread rumours in an attempt at damaging the reputation of those that found him out. I am frustrated that he didn’t make it to trial, but he knew that he would have to answer questions he wouldn’t want to, and had he continued with a not guilty plea, he would have been in prison for a long time.

I am sure though, this won’t be the last time we hear of him.

FB

For the benefit of search engines, it would be wise to mention Wesley Tierney by name, no?

I’m surprised at this guy’s resume. He steals historic aviation artifacts, lies about flying for the BBMF and blags his way into the cockpits of aircraft he wasn’t rated to fly. All because he dresses (and presumably speaks) the part? In short, he appears to be a dangerous fantasist who has somehow been quite successful in his nonsense. How did he get away with it?

To answer a couple of points as to why this chap appeared in Historic thread:

– He was flying aircraft at (but NOT belonging to) the shuttleworth collection.
– His interests firmly lay in Historic, vintage, and warbird aircraft, those involved with such aircraft need to be aware of him.
– He did actively fly historic aircraft including chipmunks and Piston Provost.
– He had worked with the BBMF
– When he was arrested for the flying and theft cases, he was working at Brooklands Museum as part of their development project.

It has been raised again because the theft of parts related specifically to warbird and vintage aircraft parts – his area of interest being WW1 to 1950s aviation.

Ground equipment was taken from the Airfield operations team. It is important to recognise that he has admitted to all theft charges.

To clarify – he ceased to work for the Royal Philatelic society immediately after the CAA case came to light. Although he was discovered stealing by colleagues – his CAA offences actually came to light afterwards, it’s just the CAA managed to get him into court first.

Items are still missing from various locations ranging from Lincolnshire, to Essex, Bedfordshire to Hertfordshire and Surrey. Anybody who might have purchased items from him over the last 4-5 years we’d (that’s quite a few people) be very interested to hear from them.

FB

I think it was (or perhaps still is?) a Stamp Museum in London… the Royal Philatelic Society’s Museum of Philatelic History.

Deserves a place in the Walt Hall Of Shame, what a beauty!

Wow – I’d love to know which London museum he now works in

I wonder how many forumites have unwittingly made purchases from him?

He was a known seller on the Aeroboot / Aerojumble circuit!

Thank you Jeepman. When I get a moment I’ll merge them. It had slipped my memory that it had been covered here, possibly as I can see little Historical Aviation context in the original offence.

Moggy
Moderator

Why do we need a new thread for this criminal. There is a perfectly good thread on page 2. Why clog up the forum with duplicate threads?

now works in a museum:eek:

Suspended sentence for North Weald thefts

The ‘Walter Mitty’ gets away without prison yet again.

http://www.thecomet.net/news/letchworth-fake-pilot-wesley-tierney-avoids-jail-again-after-admitting-aircraft-part-thefts-1-5228084

Moggy

Trust me, this was all of his own doing. Abuse of a privileged position having gained the trust of those around him. Sadly I don’t think this will be the last we see of this individual.

FB

He probably had a tough childhood.

:apologetic: Hardly a punishment and deterrent

After many months of dragging out the case by pleading not guilty, including accusing his coworkers and employers of slander and illegal activities, Wesley Tierney was due in Chelmsford Crown Court from Monday morning for three charges of theft of aircraft parts and ground equipment from an warbird operator and restoration company where he worked part time as well as the airfield operations team where he was employed full time. Yesterday he attended court with his legal aid and pleaded guilty to all charges of theft to avoid a public court appearance. He did not receive a fine, nor costs, nor was he ordered to pay compensation. Sadly he only received 16 months suspended for 12 months and has to wear an electronic tag for 6 months. He is also under home curfew between 8pm and 5am for 6 months.

Highly disappointing that by doing so he avoided having to answer questions about his actions, conduct, and the whereabouts of items and equipment that continue to be missing.

FB

Sadly those details form part of the upcoming case, as he was rumbled for the thefts before his CAA claims were discovered. Suffice to say once the case is heard, all will become clear. Hopefully post a conviction, an appeal can be made for the remaining missing items to be recovered.

FB

So, not sure if it has been answered here without trawling through all the posts, but how was he rumbled?

Anon.