Crawley gunman jailed and heroic staff praised

Police have praised the heroics of two employees who wrestled a gunman to the ground following a shooting at Crawley College.

Sandijs Dreimanis was jailed on Friday (March 11) for the incident, which sparked a significant police response on April 26 last year.

Around 3.12pm, police received reports of a man with a gun, firing at people at the campus. A spontaneous firearms incident was declared by Sussex Police and support was sought from neighbouring forces.

A few minutes later, police learned the suspect had been detained. After hearing gun shots, a lecturer and member of support staff pursued the defendant. They disarmed the 18-year-old of a gun – later confirmed to be a blank-firing imitation – and a knife. They both received a High Sheriff ’s Award.

Dreimanis pleaded guilty to four offences and was sentenced to five years and six months’ imprisonment at Lewes Crown Court.