Man accused of flying from London to New York without passport is arrested

Craig Sturt was accused of boarding a British Airways flight without permission

A man who allegedly flew from London to New York without a passport or boarding pass has been arrested after he failed to appear at court.

Craig Sturt had been charged on 25 December with obtaining services by deception, being unlawfully airside and boarding an aircraft without permission, the Met Police said.

The 46-year-old, of Slough, Berkshire, was due to appear at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court on 22 January.

He was arrested on Monday.

It is understood Mr Sturt travelled on a British Airways flight from Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 on 23 December without a passport or boarding pass.

Police said he was first arrested at about 20:00 GMT on 25 December after arriving back in London on a flight from New York.

British Airways said it was assisting the authorities with their investigation.

A Heathrow Airport spokesman said: "All people who go airside are subject to security screening, including the individual involved in this case.

"We are supporting the authorities with their ongoing investigation."

The Border Force said it would not comment.

Mr Sturt was arrested in Richmond, south-west London, at about 08:00 GMT on suspicion of failing to appear at court, police said.

He has been taken into custody at a London police station.

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