Gatwick drone arrest couple to get £200,000 payout

SUSSEX: A couple arrested when armed police stormed their home and held them for 36 hours over the Gatwick Airport drone chaos have received £200,000 in compensation and an apology.

Paul and Elaine Gait have settled their claims for wrongful arrest and false imprisonment against Sussex Police, their legal team announced on Sunday. Drone sightings near the runways over a three-day period in December 2018 caused chaos, with the airport being repeatedly forced to close.

Travellers excited for Christmas-time getaways were horrified as flights were cancelled in droves as police investigated the sightings. No-one has ever been charged over the incident and police have said that some reported drone sightings may have been Sussex Police’s own craft.

Mr and Mrs Gait were arrested when 12 armed police officers swooped on their home just before Christmas 2018. They were then held for 36 hours before being released without charge. This was despite the fact they did not possess any drones and had been at work during the reported sightings. Their legal team announced on Sunday that Sussex Police has agreed to an out-of-court settlement package of £200,000 in compensation and legal costs. Mr and Mrs Gait, from Crawley, said in a statement: “We are delighted to have finally received vindication, it has been a very long fight for justice.”

They say despite the apology they still have “no explanation” for why they were held “incommunicado” for 36 hours.

In a letter to the couple shared by their legal team, Sussex Police Assistant Chief Constable David Miller said: “I am deeply sorry that you both experienced the unpleasantness of arrest and detention incommunicado for approximately 36 hours. I acknowledge that this would have been a traumatic time for you both. Unfortunately, when the police carry out their functions on behalf of the public, sometimes innocent people are arrested as part of necessary police investigations in the public interest.”