We were treated for trauma reveal drone arrest pair
A COUPLE arrested over the Gatwick airport drone chaos have revealed they were so traumatised by the ordeal they needed medical treatment.
Paul Gait and Elaine Kirk told how they felt “completely violated and exposed” after police detained them and searched their home.
Mr Gait, 47, and Ms Kirk, 54, were quizzed following three days of disruption at Britain’s second busiest airport when drones were sighted near the runways.
They were arrested at their home in Crawley, West Sussex, on Friday following a tip-off but were released without charge 36 hours later.
Describing their ordeal, window fitter Mr Gait sobbed as he said: “As you can probably imagine, we are feeling completely violated.
“Our home has been searched and our privacy and identity completely exposed.
Distressed
“Our names, photos and other personal information has been broadcast throughout the world.”
Speaking on the doorstep of his home, Mr Gait added: “We are deeply distressed, as are our family and friends, and we are currently receiving medical care. The way we were initially perceived is disgusting, although those that knew us didn’t doubt us for a second.”
Neighbours and friends rallied around the couple and claimed they had been used as “scapegoats” by Sussex Police.
According to his boss John Allard, former soldier Mr Gait used to own a “silly little” drone but sold it in the summer. He was fixing guttering at a client’s house at the time of the drone attack, Mr Allard said.
He added: “The police have handled it all wrong from the first second. Although there was a complete lack of evidence, the police ripped his house apart.”
Sussex Police defended the decision to arrest the couple and Police still search for those behind the Gatwick drone attacks. Right, arrest ordeal couple Elaine Kirk and Paul Gait seen returning to their home in Crawley
dismissed suggestions officers acted improperly.
“I’m completely satisfied the arrests were lawful, bearing in mind the burden of proof and likely suspicion at the time of arrest,” said Detective Chief Superintendent Jason Tingley.
“Obviously we had to be sure prior to release, in terms of that investigation, they were no longer suspects.”
He added: “I won’t apologise, but what I will say is we really do appreciate their co-operation and we have put a lot of effort and resources into supporting them when they were released from questioning.”
Mr Tingley caused consternation in Whitehall and among his own officers on Sunday when he suggested there may not have been any “drone activity” in the area after all.
He said: “We are working with
human beings saying they have seen something.”
But the force backtracked on Monday after an hour-long conference call chaired by Transport Secretary Chris Grayling.
Deputy Chief Constable Jo Shiner declared: “We can unequivocally state that there have been numerous illegal drone sightings at the airport over three days from 19 to 21 December. There were numerous reports clustered around 37 occasions where a drone or drones were seen and I am keen for those responsible to be brought to justice.”
Police denied they were “back to square one” and said inquiries were continuing.
A £70,000 reward is on offer for information leading to the conviction of those responsible for the drone incidents.
‘NO EASY SOLUTIONS’ TO PROTECT AIRPORTS
DRONE defences may be used across Britain but the challenge should not be underestimated, the Government said.
Security Minister Ben Wallace said detection systems can be installed at sensitive sites including airports.
But he warned of the challenge posed by the remote-controlled flying robots. Around 140,000 passengers were caught up in the Gatwick chaos as 1,000 flights were cancelled or diverted after multiple drone sightings close to runways.
Army experts, using top secret military equipment, were called in amid claims of complacency by the Government about the drone threat. Mr Wallace said: “The huge proliferation of such devices, coupled with the challenges of deploying military counter measures into a civilian environment, means there are no easy solutions.” He backed police who faced criticism over their handling of the emergency.
Yesterday, officers repeated warnings to new drone owners who got them as Christmas gifts.
Operators who flout a 400ft height restriction or fly within two thirds of a mile of an airport risk five years in jail.