Craig Sturt, 46, is said to have flown from London Heathrow Airport to New York John F. Kennedy Airport without a passport or any documents.He was arrested on suspicion of failing to appear in court.
A man suspected of flying from London to New York without a passport or documents has been arrested.
Craig Sturt was detained at around 8am in Richmond, southwest London, on suspicion of failing to appear in court. The 46-year-old man, from Slough, is accused of boarding a British Airways flight from Heathrow’s Terminal 5 without a passport or boarding pass on December 23 last year. Sturt was first arrested at around 8pm on Christmas Day after returning to London.
He arrived at Heathrow Airport on December 23, where he reportedly ignored check-in and sneaked through the security gate while tailgating the person in front of him. After passing through passport control, he boarded a plane to New York’s JFK Airport, and even though he did not have a boarding pass, he was able to board and took a seat on the long-haul flight.
Scotland Yard said the suspect was charged with obtaining service by deception, being unlawfully airside and boarding an aircraft without permission. Mr Sturt failed to appear at a hearing at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on January 22. Following his arrest on Monday, he remains in custody at a London police station, MyLondon reported.
The Metropolitan Police said: “Craig Sturt, 46, was arrested at around 8pm on 25 December 2023, upon arriving in London on a flight from New York. He was illegally staying airside. He was charged with boarding an aircraft without authorization and receiving service by deception.” He was allowed to appear at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court and remanded. ”
“He failed to appear at a subsequent hearing at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on January 22nd. At around 8am on Monday February 12th, Craig Sturt was arrested in Richmond for failing to appear in court. He has been remanded in custody at the London Police Station. ”
British Airways told the Mirror in a statement: “We are assisting the authorities with their investigation.” A Heathrow spokesperson yesterday added: “Everyone going airside, including the individuals involved in this incident, will be subject to security screening. We are assisting authorities with their ongoing investigation.” Ta.