A thief who brazenly stole a wallet from a staff area at Gatwick Airport has been sentenced to eight months in prison.

Lloyd Edwards, 37, formerly of Haywood Street in Walworth, committed the theft at the North Terminal of the airport. On February 10 last year at 8 pm, Edwards entered a shop within the terminal and unlawfully took a wallet from a staff area. Following the theft, he proceeded to engage in a spending spree at a nearby store.

Appearing before Lewes Crown Court on January 19, Edwards admitted to the burglary of a commercial premises. Consequently, he was handed an eight-month prison sentence for his actions.

Detective Sergeant Ian Warncken, representing Gatwick CID, emphasized the collaborative effort between law enforcement, retailers, and Gatwick Airport authorities in identifying and apprehending the suspect. He reiterated the commitment of the authorities to prevent thefts from businesses, acknowledging the distress such incidents cause to communities and the individuals affected, including both the public and staff.