Traveler Arrested in Richmond: Allegations of Boarding Flight Without Documentation

LONDON: On Monday, a man named Craig Sturt was apprehended by the Metropolitan Police in Richmond, south-west London, at approximately 8 am.

He is suspected of evading court appearances and is a 46-year-old resident of Slough, Berkshire. The charges stem from an alleged incident on December 23 last year when he supposedly flew from London to New York on a British Airways flight from Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 5 without a passport or boarding pass, as reported by the Sun, reported Standard.

Sturt was initially taken into custody on Christmas Day around 8 pm upon his return to London from New York. According to Scotland Yard, he is facing charges of obtaining services by deception, being unlawfully airside, and boarding an aircraft without permission.

Despite a scheduled hearing at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on January 22, Sturt failed to appear. Following his arrest on Monday, he is currently held in custody at a London police station.

British Airways issued a statement stating, “We are cooperating with the authorities in their investigation.” Additionally, a spokesperson from Heathrow Airport mentioned, “All individuals accessing airside areas undergo security screening, including the person involved in this case. We are providing support to the authorities as they continue their investigation.”