Gatwick Airport drone: Couple break silence after wrongful arrest 'we feel violated'
THE couple who were released without charge after they were arrested for the chaos caused by the drone sightings at Gatwick Airport have given an emotional statement outside their home where they said they feel "violated".
Gatwick drone: Couple break silence after release without charge
Paul Gait, 47 and Elaine Kirk, 54 were released yesterday, December 23, after they were arrested over the Gatwick Airport drone chaos. The couple have now returned home after spending more than 24 hours in custody and being questioned by the police after they were arrested on suspicion of disrupting services of civil aviation. Police have said they were "no longer suspects" in the Gatwick drone incidents. The couple appeared very distressed and said they were receiving medical care.
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Our home has been searched and our privacy and identity completely exposed.
In an emotional statement outside their home in Crawley, Mr Gait said: “As you can probably imagine we are feeling completely violated, our home has been searched and our privacy and identity completely exposed.
“Our names, photos and other personal information has been broadcast throughout the world.
"We are deeply distressed as are our family and friends and 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.
“We are totally overwhelmed by the support we have received by people all over the world and we would like to thanks everyone who has done that.
“We would ask the press to respect out privacy and leave us to get through Christmas the best we can.”
Gatwick Airport has offered a £50,000 reward to catch the people responsible for the havoc, which delayed flights and affected 140,000 passengers.
Government ministers were due to discuss the incident in a Christmas Eve conference call as Sussex Police continue to investigate the sightings and examine a damaged drone near the runway.
Detective Chief Superintendent Jason Tingley said he hopes the money will persuade someone to come forward with the vital clue.
Asked about speculation there was never a drone, he said: "Of course, that's a possibility. We are working with human beings saying they have seen something."
But he later clarified: "We are actively investigating sightings of drone activity at Gatwick Airport following 67 reports from the evening of December 19 to December 21 from the public, passengers, police officers and staff at the airport."
Read more: Theresa May calls emergency meeting with cabinet over Gatwick Airport drone chaos
