Heathrow attack suspects used CS spray, court told

Two men have appeared in court after two women were sprayed with CS spray in a robbery at Heathrow airport on Sunday.

Tyrone Richards, 31, and Anton Clarke-Butcher, 24, have both been charged with two counts of robbery and two counts of administering a noxious substance after the incident on Sunday.

CS spray is a man-made chemical that UK police forces use to temporarily incapacitate people in a similar manner to pepper spray, according to the government.

Prosecutor Rene De Silva told Uxbridge Magistrates' Court on Tuesday the men were arrested after a robbery at the multi-storey car park at Terminal 3 and were suspected of playing a "key role" in the incident.

Mr Richards, of no fixed address, and Mr Clarke-Butcher, of Mantlet Close, Streatham, appeared separately the court and spoke only to confirm their names, addresses and dates of birth.

The indictment stated that the men allegedly stole two suitcases from two separate women, using CS spray on both.

Mr De Silva said the defendants, along with others, used CS spray to commit the robbery of a suitcase.

Mr Richards and Mr Clarke-Butcher were both remanded in custody and are due to appear at Isleworth Crown Court on 8 January for a plea hearing.

The court heard that two other suspects are currently still "at large".

Ambulance crews treated 21 people, including a three-year-old child, following the incident.

Five people were taken to hospital and later discharged.

The incident - which the Met said was isolated and not being treated as terrorism - resulted in train delays and the partial closure of the Central Terminal Area tunnel and the Terminal 3 car park for a short time.

On Monday, the Met Police said it had also arrested a woman, 23, on suspicion of conspiracy to commit robbery. She was later released on bail pending further inquiries.

A second woman, 57, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit robbery. She was subsequently released under investigation.

Another man, 31, was arrested on Monday on suspicion of affray. He remains in custody, police said.

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