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Four men jailed after tear gas sprayed into an airport lift - causing some to vomit blood
The court said the group targeted the women’s suitcases and 5 of 21 victims needed medical treatment after the attack.
On Wednesday, Judge Kwame Inyundo sentenced four men to prison for a violent tear gas attack at Heathrow Airport last December, where they targeted two women in a lift to steal their suitcases.
Masked men sprayed what was 'believed to be CS spray' into a lift at 8 a.m. on December 7, following two women arriving from Johannesburg to steal their luggage.
The attack left victims coughing and choking; a barista reported she 'felt fine one minute and then almost instantly unwell,' while five of the 21 victims required medical treatment.
Richards was jailed for 27 months, while Whyte and Eduardo each received 23 months, and Clarke-Butcher received 21 months for his role in the 'serious and sustained' violence.
Prosecutor Gary Rutter noted he 'could not say exactly what led to this incident,' as defense lawyers cited 'deep remorse' and 'traumatic childhood' for the defendants.