A DRONE fan arrested with his wife over the Gatwick airport chaos has been described as an “expert flier” with a passion for remote-control helicopters. "Our investigations are still ongoing, and our activities at the airport continue to build resilience to detect and mitigate further incursions from drones by deploying a range of tactics. A FORMER squaddie arrested with his wife over the Gatwick drone chaos was having a cup of tea with his ex at the time of the attacks, she claims. "They need to let him out and catch the right people. "It has since emerged that the Christmas chaos is the THIRD time a drone was flown into Gatwick airspace in the last 18 months.Passengers set up temporary beds in camps amid two-hour queues for food and drink at the airport after the first drone caused havoc.Prime Minister Theresa May gave a statement sympathising with those left stranded.She told reporters: “Obviously at this time of year this is particularly difficult for people.”In July, the Government restricted drones to 400ft 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 was despite the fact they did not possess any drones and … Paul and Elaine Gait were arrested but released without charge after attacks in 2018A couple who were detained during the Gatwick Airport drone chaos in December 2018 have been awarded £200,000 in compensation and legal costs after settling out of court with Sussex police.Drone sightings near the runways over a three-day period during the peak Christmas period caused chaos, with the airport being repeatedly forced to close. He’s into his helicopters, he has a lovely helicopter.”It has since emerged window fitter Paul posted a video on a Facebook drone community page from his garage asking for technical help to repair his high-spec Trex FBL 600 helicopter.He had also Liked updates from nearby Hastings Model Flying Club and posted pictures of his model helicopter.Two years ago, the ex-squaddie reviewed drone company Vifly on Facebook, saying: "The quality of the kits are amazing".And just 48 hours before Gatwick was brought to a standstill he posted in a forum trying to get a spare part.Stunned locals yesterday told how cops raided the couple's £590,000 home on a quiet cul-de-sac as they arrested the couple.Neighbours also revealed how Paul had been spotted with a remote-controlled model helicopter in the area.One said: "I saw him flying a helicopter, it was remote controlled. Unfortunately, when the police carry out their functions on behalf of the public, sometimes innocent people are arrested as part of necessary police investigations in the public interest.“I understand that you believe that you were unlawfully arrested and detained by Sussex police officers. Paul and Elaine Gait were held by police for 36 hours after 12 armed officers stormed their home. "Sussex Police confirmed on Saturday night they had arrested a man and a woman after raids were carried out.Police Superintendent James Collis said: "As part of our ongoing investigations into the criminal use of drones which has severely disrupted flights in and out of Gatwick Airport, Sussex Police made two arrests just after 10pm on 21 December. Officials Called the Drone Incidents a Criminal Act & a ‘Highly Targeted Activity … Designed to Close … Window fitter Paul Gait, 47, and his … No aircraft was damaged or passenger injured.”Miller said the drone incident was an “unprecedented set of circumstances for all agencies involved”.He added: “Measures now available have strengthened our capability to respond to and investigate a similar incident in the future.”Sussex police said its investigation centred on 129 separate sightings of drone activity, 109 of these from credible witnesses used to working in a complex airport environment including a pilot, airport workers and airport police.Through corroborated witness statements, it established that at least two drones were in operation during this period and the Witness statements showed activity happened in “groupings” across the three days on 12 separate occasions, varying in length from between seven and 45 minutes.On six of these occasions, witnesses clearly saw two drones operating simultaneously.The policing operation and subsequent investigation has cost £790,000.
That was a few years ago and he recently said to me, 'I've given all that up now'. Whoever is doing the drones, I'm angrier at them. It's unbelievable. "I can account for Paul’s movements every day this week. News Corp is a network of leading companies in the worlds of diversified media, news, education, and information services.Paul Gait, 47, and wife Elaine Kirk, 54, have been released by cops after they were arrested at their Crawley home on Friday nightA FORMER squaddie arrested with his wife over the Gatwick drone chaos was having a cup of tea with his ex at the time of the attacks, she claims.Pals have claimed Paul, who reportedly served in Bosnia and Northern Ireland with the Royal Artillery, Paul’s boss insisted the dad-of-two was at work while the drones were bringing Gatwick to its knees.And his daughter Gemma, who helps run Allard Double Glazing in East Sussex and has a child with Paul, insists he was having a cup of tea with her at the time of the attacks.