A woman has been convicted for assault and security breach at London Gatwick Airport.
Mistura Alade, 45, along with a minor, attempted to board a flight to Milan without valid passports. Their passports did not meet the EU travel requirement of having at least three months before expiration.
When denied boarding, Alade and the minor broke through a security door and an emergency exit, triggering alarms. In their attempt, they knocked down an airport employee, causing significant injury.
They were arrested by airport security and police. Alade, previously a supermarket employee from Birmingham, faced trial at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court. She was charged with assault and unauthorised entry into a restricted area, violating the Aviation Security Act.
Alade received a one-year community order, including 40 hours of unpaid work and 20 Rehabilitation Activity sessions, and must pay £200 compensation to the injured airport staff. The incident, which occurred on February 22 last year, left the airport worker incapacitated for several weeks.
Speaking after the case, Detective Sergeant Ian Warncken from Gatwick CID said: “Alade was told that she would not be able to travel to Milan and was informed of where she could obtain help within the airport.
“She was removed from the passenger list as a result.
“But instead of seeking help, she instead attempted to sneak on board the aircraft, and refused to listen to staff members.
“Her reckless and selfish behaviour put herself in danger as well as other air passengers after she entered a restricted area of the airport, at one stage potentially attempting to board the wrong aircraft.
“She then claimed she did not know what she was doing was wrong, despite setting off two alarms.
“It is a reminder that it is every passenger’s responsibility to ensure that their passport is within date and valid for onward travel.”
The second passenger was also found guilty of the same offences. She was sentenced to a Youth Referral Order for four months and was ordered to pay £30 in compensation.
