Gatwick Airport drone: Couple wrongly accused of incident ‘distressed and violated’

The couple wrongly arrested over the Gatwick Airport drone incident say they feel “violated” as authorities desperately try to find the chaos-causing culprit.

The couple wrongly accused of flying drones over Gatwick Airport today broke down as they revealed they had been “completely violated” by the ordeal.

Paul Gait, 47, and wife Elaine Kirk, 54, were yesterday released without charge following 36 hours of questioning.

They said they had been left “deeply distressed” following their arrest over the airport drama that saw thousands of Christmas travellers have their flights delayed or cancelled.

MORE: Police find ‘damaged drone’ after Gatwick chaos

Paul Gait and his wife Elaine Kirk were released yesterday after 36 hours of police questioning over the Gatwick Airport drone incident. Picture: Supplied

The statement came as British security minister Ben Wallace announced detection systems are now able to be deployed across the UK to combat the threat of future drone attacks.

Holding back tears, Mr Gait said: “We are deeply distressed, as are our family and friends. We are currently receiving medical care.”

Standing next to wife Elaine, who placed a hand on her husband’s shoulder as he read the emotional statement, Paul said they both felt extremely “exposed”.

Speaking outside their home in Crawley - about 10 minutes from Gatwick Airport - they said they had been “totally overwhelmed” by the support they had received.

They added: “The way we were initially perceived was disgusting although those that knew us didn’t doubt us for a second.”

Paul Gait said he and his wife Elaine were “deeply distressed” and receiving medical care. Picture: Supplied

Family and friends had rushed to the couple’s defence after they were first arrested on Friday night just days before Christmas.

Police stormed their home and forensics spent all of Saturday rifling through their house and car as they continued to question the couple - who had alibis from pals.

Mr Gait said: “We are feeling completely violated...our home has been searched.”

Security minister Ben Wallace said there was no easy solution to tackling drone incursions but warned those using them “recklessly” or illegally can expect severe punishments.

In a statement, he said: “The huge proliferation of such devices, coupled with the challenges of deploying military counter measures into a civilian environment, means there are no easy solutions.

“However, I can say that we are able to now deploy detection systems throughout the UK to combat this threat.”

Flights were cancelled, delayed and re-routed during the airport chaos. Picture: AP/Tim Ireland

It comes after the government slammed bungling cops over the Gatwick drone probe shambles after they performed an embarrassing U-turn and admitted there was a drone.

Now ministers for the Department of Transport have branded police communication a “mess up” - after they backtracked over whether there was a drone in the first place.

In an hour-long conference call with Transport Secretary Chris Grayling, it was acknowledged police “have not handled their communication response well”.

Detective Chief Superintendent Jason Tingley sensationally claimed yesterday there was a “possibility” there may not have been a drone, but the force put out a correction today.

He said: “We are actively investigating sightings of drone activity at Gatwick Airport following 67 reports from the evening of the 19 December to 21 December from the public, passengers, police officers and staff at the airport.”

Police have stumped up a £50,000 ($A90,000) reward to catch the Gatwick Grinch following last week’s Christmas getaway hell.

More than 1000 flights were affected, and more than 140,000 people were stranded. Picture: AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth

Gatwick has now fully reopened after the chaos last week saw 1000 flights affected and more than 140,000 people stranded.

The drama unfolded on Wednesday at 9pm after two drones were spotted close to Britain’s second busiest airport.

The runway reopened the next day but had to be closed again after more drone reports - with 246 departures and 202 arrivals hit - before being suspended again on Friday for an hour after another sighting.

The chaos meant the army employed “drone killer” tech used in fight against ISIS as the cat and mouse game between the moronic drone pilot and authorities continued.

The £2.6 million ($A4,683 million) technology uses a radio frequency jammer to crash drones.

The Israeli-made devices feature four radars covering a six-mile radius.

In July, the Government restricted drones to 122 metres and banned them from flying within 1km of an airport.

Recreational drones are fitted with GPS “geo-fencing” preventing them from flying near restricted airspace, including airports.

If convicted, the drone grinch could face up to five years in prison.

This is an edited version of a story that originally appeared on The Sun. It is republished with permission.