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Gatwick drone arrests: Sussex Police pays out £200,000 | |
(about 5 hours later) | |
A police force has paid out £200,000 over the arrest of a couple falsely accused of causing chaos at Gatwick Airport with a drone. | |
Armed officers stormed the home of Paul and Elaine Gait in December 2018, and held them for 36 hours after drones caused the airport to close repeatedly. | |
The couple were released without charge, and sued Sussex Police for wrongful arrest and false imprisonment. | The couple were released without charge, and sued Sussex Police for wrongful arrest and false imprisonment. |
The Gait's legal team said the force had agreed an out-of-court settlement. | |
Sussex Police confirmed it has paid the couple the £55,000 owed in damages, and law firm Howard Kennedy said it has billed the force an additional £145,000 in legal costs. | Sussex Police confirmed it has paid the couple the £55,000 owed in damages, and law firm Howard Kennedy said it has billed the force an additional £145,000 in legal costs. |
Flights were cancelled in droves over a three-day period, as police investigated multiple reported drone sightings. | Flights were cancelled in droves over a three-day period, as police investigated multiple reported drone sightings. |
No-one has ever been charged, and police have said that some reported drone sightings may have been Sussex Police's own craft. | No-one has ever been charged, and police have said that some reported drone sightings may have been Sussex Police's own craft. |
Twelve armed officers swooped on Mr and Mrs Gait's home, even though they did not possess any drones and had been at work during the reported sightings. | Twelve armed officers swooped on Mr and Mrs Gait's home, even though they did not possess any drones and had been at work during the reported sightings. |
In a statement released by their legal team on Sunday, the couple said: "We are delighted to have finally received vindication, it has been a very long fight for justice. | In a statement released by their legal team on Sunday, the couple said: "We are delighted to have finally received vindication, it has been a very long fight for justice. |
"It has taken lengthy legal proceedings to obtain resolution from the police and to finally have closure on this distressing time." | "It has taken lengthy legal proceedings to obtain resolution from the police and to finally have closure on this distressing time." |
In a letter to the couple, Sussex Police Assistant Chief Constable David Miller said he was "deeply sorry" for the "unpleasantness" the couple experienced, and acknowledged it would have been "traumatic". | In a letter to the couple, Sussex Police Assistant Chief Constable David Miller said he was "deeply sorry" for the "unpleasantness" the couple experienced, and acknowledged it would have been "traumatic". |
He added: "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. | He added: "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. |
"However, we recognise that things could have been done differently and, as a result, Sussex Police have agreed to pay you compensation and legal costs." | "However, we recognise that things could have been done differently and, as a result, Sussex Police have agreed to pay you compensation and legal costs." |
The force commissioned a "thorough independent review" of the drone incident last year. | The force commissioned a "thorough independent review" of the drone incident last year. |
It revealed 96 people "of interest" were identified, researched and ruled out during the investigation and the cost of the operation and subsequent investigation was £790,000. | It revealed 96 people "of interest" were identified, researched and ruled out during the investigation and the cost of the operation and subsequent investigation was £790,000. |