Car ‘used as an ashtray’ in airport car park

A business traveller has reportedly been given free parking at Gatwick airport – and a complimentary car valet – after his Jaguar X-Type was “used as an ashtray”. According to a report in the Cambridge Evening News, consultant Gerald O’Keane, who loves near the city, also reported to Sussex police that his car’s mileage had increased by 188 miles and that three quarters of a tank of petrol had gone missing. H e reportedly told the newspaper that “shingle in the foot well and ash and coffee stains on the upholstery had made him realise immediately that someone had been using the car”. He added: “I couldn’t tell what had happened to my car while I was away. It could have been involved in a bank raid or anything.” A spokesman for Apcoa, the car park operator, said that an internal review had concluded that the car had not left the compound, but added: “We gave Mr O’Keane a free car valet and parking because without CCTV evidence we cannot be sure that someone did not sit in his car, have a cigarette or drink coffee there.” Sussex police reportedly told the newspaper that a lack of forensic evidence meant that no charges would be brought.