Two men have been sentenced after stealing a vehicle and setting it on fire near London Gatwick Airport.
Edward Maunder, 37, and Michael Lyons, 28, were due to fly to Peru for charity work but stole a Toyota Rav 4 from a meet-and-greet parking company after mistakenly believing the driver was a drug dealer. They later torched the car under the monorail link, forcing its temporary closure.
Lyons was arrested nearby in an intoxicated state, with the key still in his pocket, while Maunder was found later at Gatwick’s South Terminal. Police uncovered video evidence of the incident on Maunder’s phone, as well as CCTV footage of them buying petrol.
At Hove Crown Court, both admitted arson, with Lyons also pleading guilty to vehicle theft. They received two-year suspended prison sentences, 300 hours of unpaid work, and must each pay £3,000 in compensation to the vehicle’s owner. They were also banned from driving and ordered to complete rehabilitation sessions.
Detective Sergeant Ian Warncken condemned their “reckless and appalling” actions, praising officers for securing the convictions.
