Man jailed for theft and assault at Gatwick Airport terminal

A thief who assaulted a shop worker and a police officer has been jailed after stealing alcohol from an airport shop has been jailed.

Stewart Hicks had been prohibited from entering Gatwick Airport following his antisocial behaviour.

But the 43-year-old entered the North Terminal along with a woman at about 3am on May 4.

He was seen entering the Marks and Spencer store three times in order to steal items including bottles of wine, a bottle of beer, and then 26 cans of energy drinks.

Members of the public reported Hicks to staff on duty, who challenged him over thefts. He returned the energy drinks, but left the terminal with the alcohol.

A staff member challenged him further, at which point Hicks confronted the victim and punched him.

Later, after he was arrested on suspicion of theft and assault, he remained constantly abusive towards officers and security.

In custody, Hicks ignored warnings to stop, and kicked and stamped on an officer’s foot. He was further arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker.

Hicks, of no fixed address, appeared before Crawley Magistrates’ Court on May 5, where he admitted shoplifting, assault, assaulting an emergency worker, and breaching a prohibition not to enter Gatwick Airport.

He was jailed for a total of 16 weeks and was ordered to pay £50 in compensation to the shop worker and £50 to the police officer he assaulted.