A pilot who allegedly lied about his flight experience and qualifications to get a job with British Airways has been charged with fraud.

Craig Butfoy, of Matfield, near Tunbridge Wells, is said to have made similar false claims to get work with Irish airline Stobart Air.

In a prosecution being pursued by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the 48-year-old is facing eight counts of fraud by false representation between April 2016 and March 2017.

Five of the charges allege Butfoy committed fraud “intending to make a gain, namely obtaining a job with BA CityFlyer”, a BA subsidiary which flies aircraft from London City airport.

Details outlined in court papers include an allegation he falsely claimed to have flown 1,610 hours as a captain in a job application submitted to the firm.

He is also accused of giving false details on his CV, including that he had held a private pilot’s licence since 1998, and fabricating documents, including a training course certificate.

Butfoy is charged with three similar offences alleging fraud “intending to make a gain, namely obtaining a job with Stobart Air”.

“It would be inappropriate for us to say anything further until the case is concluded.”

He is alleged to have included false details on his CV, including a claim he had flown more than 650 hours as a private pilot, and fabricated references in support of a job application.

He is also accused of providing false entries in a logbook, including flying time when the flights had taken place in a simulator.

A CAA spokesman said: “We can confirm that the CAA is prosecuting Craig Butfoy.

“It would be inappropriate for us to say anything further until the case is concluded.”

Butfoy’s case was listed at east London’s Thames Magistrates’ Court today for the case to be administratively adjourned to another date, without a hearing.

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