Two men have been brought before the court following an incident in which two women were sprayed with CS spray during a robbery at Heathrow Airport on Sunday.
Tyrone Richards, 31, and Anton Clarke-Butcher, 24, face charges comprising two counts of robbery and two counts of administering a noxious substance related to the event that took place on Sunday.
CS spray, a synthetic chemical utilized by UK law enforcement to temporarily incapacitate individuals akin to pepper spray, is defined by government authorities.
During the proceedings at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, prosecutor Rene De Silva indicated that the men were apprehended in connection with the robbery occurring at the multi-storey car park of Terminal 3, where they are believed to have played a “significant role.”
Mr. Richards, who has no permanent address, and Mr. Clarke-Butcher, from Mantlet Close, Streatham, appeared individually in court, speaking solely to confirm their names, addresses, and dates of birth.
The charge sheet alleges that the defendants took two suitcases belonging to different women, deploying CS spray on both victims.
Mr. De Silva mentioned that the accused, along with accomplices, used CS spray to facilitate the suitcase theft.
Both Mr. Richards and Mr. Clarke-Butcher have been remanded in custody and are scheduled to appear at Isleworth Crown Court on January 8 for a plea hearing.
The court also noted that two additional suspects remain “at large.”
Emergency services treated 21 individuals, including a three-year-old child, as a result of the incident.
Five people were hospitalized but were later discharged.
The Metropolitan Police classified the event as isolated and clarified that it is not being investigated as an act of terrorism. The incident caused temporary train delays and a partial closure of the Central Terminal Area tunnel and the Terminal 3 car park.
On Monday, the Met Police announced the arrest of a 23-year-old woman on suspicion of conspiracy to commit robbery; she has since been released on bail while investigations continue.
Additionally, a 57-year-old woman was arrested on similar charges but was released pending further inquiries.
Another 31-year-old man was taken into custody on Monday on suspicion of affray and is still being held by police.
