Heathrow Airport Robbery: Suspects Charged with Using CS Spray
Published 9 December 2025
Highlights
- Two men, Tyrone Richards and Anton Clarke-Butcher, have been charged with robbery and using a noxious substance at Heathrow Airport.
- The incident involved CS spray, affecting 21 people, including a child, and led to temporary closures at Terminal 3.
- Both suspects are remanded in custody and will appear at Isleworth Crown Court on January 8 for a plea hearing.
- Additional arrests include a 23-year-old woman and a 57-year-old woman on suspicion of conspiracy to commit robbery.
- The Metropolitan Police confirmed the incident is not being treated as terrorism.
-
Rewritten Article
Heathrow Airport Robbery: Suspects Charged with Using CS Spray
Two men have been charged in connection with a robbery at Heathrow Airport that involved the use of CS spray, a chemical similar to pepper spray. The suspects, Tyrone Richards, 31, and Anton Clarke-Butcher, 24, appeared in Uxbridge Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, facing charges of robbery and administering a noxious substance.
Details of the Incident
The robbery took place on Sunday at the multi-storey car park of Terminal 3. According to Prosecutor Rene De Silva, the suspects allegedly used CS spray to incapacitate two women, stealing their suitcases as they exited the car park lift. The chemical affected 21 individuals, including a three-year-old child, leading to five hospitalizations. All affected individuals have since been discharged.
Court Proceedings and Arrests
Richards and Clarke-Butcher, who were arrested shortly after the incident, have been remanded in custody. They are scheduled for a plea hearing at Isleworth Crown Court on January 8. The court also heard that two other suspects remain at large. Meanwhile, a 23-year-old woman and a 57-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit robbery; both have been released pending further investigation. Another man, 31, was arrested on suspicion of affray and remains in custody.
Impact and Response
The incident prompted temporary closures of the Central Terminal Area tunnel and the Terminal 3 car park, causing train delays. The Metropolitan Police have stated that the attack is considered isolated and is not linked to terrorism. The use of CS spray, typically employed by UK police for crowd control, underscores the severity of the attack.
-
Scenario Analysis
As the case progresses, the upcoming plea hearing in January will be pivotal in determining the legal outcomes for Richards and Clarke-Butcher. If found guilty, they could face significant prison sentences given the nature of the charges. The arrests of additional suspects suggest a broader investigation into the robbery network, which could lead to further legal actions. The incident also raises concerns about airport security measures, potentially prompting reviews and enhancements to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Two men have been charged in connection with a robbery at Heathrow Airport that involved the use of CS spray, a chemical similar to pepper spray. The suspects, Tyrone Richards, 31, and Anton Clarke-Butcher, 24, appeared in Uxbridge Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, facing charges of robbery and administering a noxious substance.
Details of the Incident
The robbery took place on Sunday at the multi-storey car park of Terminal 3. According to Prosecutor Rene De Silva, the suspects allegedly used CS spray to incapacitate two women, stealing their suitcases as they exited the car park lift. The chemical affected 21 individuals, including a three-year-old child, leading to five hospitalizations. All affected individuals have since been discharged.
Court Proceedings and Arrests
Richards and Clarke-Butcher, who were arrested shortly after the incident, have been remanded in custody. They are scheduled for a plea hearing at Isleworth Crown Court on January 8. The court also heard that two other suspects remain at large. Meanwhile, a 23-year-old woman and a 57-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit robbery; both have been released pending further investigation. Another man, 31, was arrested on suspicion of affray and remains in custody.
Impact and Response
The incident prompted temporary closures of the Central Terminal Area tunnel and the Terminal 3 car park, causing train delays. The Metropolitan Police have stated that the attack is considered isolated and is not linked to terrorism. The use of CS spray, typically employed by UK police for crowd control, underscores the severity of the attack.
What this might mean
As the case progresses, the upcoming plea hearing in January will be pivotal in determining the legal outcomes for Richards and Clarke-Butcher. If found guilty, they could face significant prison sentences given the nature of the charges. The arrests of additional suspects suggest a broader investigation into the robbery network, which could lead to further legal actions. The incident also raises concerns about airport security measures, potentially prompting reviews and enhancements to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
