The morning case file
London Crime Briefing
Significant incidents, hearings, outcomes and public-data changes across the capital.
Topic
heathrowairport
11 stories, newest first.
LatestTeenager jailed for terror support after al-Qaeda magazine access
A teenager has been sentenced to four years and two months in prison for providing cyber-security support to terrorist groups, including al-Qaeda. Yusuf Shah, who was 16 at the time of his arrest, downloaded extremist material and offered technical assistance online.
3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 68 · Hype 45
Courts · EalingArchitect convicted in absence over Heathrow flight assault
West London architect Simone de Gale was convicted in her absence at Ealing Magistrates' Court on October 15 for assaulting cabin crew and other offences on a flight. An arrest warrant has been issued.
Ealing2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 65 · Hype 41
Courts · Kensington and ChelseaArchitect convicted of cabin crew assault after failing to attend court
A prominent architect has been convicted of assaulting a Virgin Atlantic cabin crew member and other offences after failing to appear at Ealing Magistrates' Court. An arrest warrant has been issued for Simone de Gale, 44, who was found guilty in her absence.
Kensington and Chelsea2 min readTrust 54 · Craft 52 · Hype 35
Courts · HillingdonWoman jailed for 25 months for smuggling £512,000 of cannabis
Amy Jayne Durban has been sentenced to 25 months in prison for smuggling 51.2kg of cannabis from Thailand into the UK. The drugs had an estimated street value of over £512,000.
Hillingdon3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 57 · Hype 41
Courts · HillingdonMet Police ordered to reinvestigate Graham Linehan arrest over discrimination claim
The Metropolitan Police must reinvestigate a complaint about the arrest of Graham Linehan at Heathrow Airport. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) found failings in the Met's initial investigation and has directed them to re-examine a discrimination claim made by the writer.
Hillingdon3 min readTrust 50 · Craft 65 · Hype 45
Courts · HillingdonFour jailed over Heathrow Airport tear gas attack
Four men have been sentenced to prison for their involvement in a tear gas incident at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 3 car park. The attack caused distress, vomiting, and breathing difficulties for several people, leading to the closure of the terminal.
Hillingdon3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 60 · Hype 45
Courts · HillingdonHeathrow passengers 'vomited blood' after tear gas incident
Dozens of passengers at Heathrow Airport suffered coughing fits, with some vomiting blood, after tear gas was discharged near a Caffè Nero. The incident on December 7 last year led to Terminal 3 being closed for hours, and two women had their suitcases stolen.
Hillingdon3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 60 · Hype 45
Transport Crime · HillingdonHeathrow fuel-tank explosion kills 23-year-old Virgin Atlantic technician
A joint investigation by the Metropolitan Police and the Health and Safety Executive is under way after Georgie Buxton, 23, died from injuries sustained inside a Boeing 787-9 fuel tank at Heathrow Airport. Virgin Atlantic has withdrawn the aircraft from service and is supporting Buxton’s family.
Hillingdon4 min readTrust 44 · Craft 85 · Hype 15
Policing · HillingdonIrish passenger charged after BA flight attendant restrains him on Heathrow-Las Vegas route
A British Airways flight attendant restrained a drunken passenger on flight BA275 from Heathrow to Las Vegas on 6 August 2026. Armed Metropolitan Police officers escorted Emmet Moynihan, 31, off the aircraft after the incident, which forced the plane to abort take-off.
Hillingdon4 min readTrust 44 · Craft 85 · Hype 45
LatestAmy Jayne Durban pleads guilty to smuggling £512,000 of cannabis at Heathrow
Amy Jayne Durban admitted smuggling cannabis worth at least £512,000 through Heathrow Airport on 6 July 2026. She faces sentencing at Isleworth Crown Court on 14 October. The National Crime Agency reports a sharp rise in airport drug seizures this year.
4 min readTrust 48 · Craft 60 · Hype 48
Courts · HounslowHounslow woman admits smuggling £512,000 of cannabis from Thailand
A woman from Hounslow has admitted smuggling cannabis worth at least £512,000 into the UK from Thailand. Amy Jayne Durban was arrested at Heathrow Airport in July and will be sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court on 14 October 2026.
Hounslow5 min readTrust 56 · Craft 80 · Hype 30