Masked gang who sprayed CS gas at Heathrow passengers and left barista vomiting blood are jailed

From the Newshound archive · first published 19 September 2026.

A barista at the Caffè Nero next to Heathrow's Terminal 3 car park lift said she "felt fine one minute and then almost instantly unwell" before she began coughing and vomiting blood — one of dozens caught in the attack. Tyrone Richards, 31, Anton Clarke-Butcher, 25, Omoneke Whyte, 31, and Denzel Eduardo, 29, pleaded guilty to affray at Isleworth Crown Court and were sentenced on Wednesday. Three wore face coverings and dark clothing when they discharged CS spray into a lift at 8am on 7 December, targeting two women who had just flown in from Johannesburg.

Terminal 3 was closed for hours and five people were taken to hospital after the gas spread to ground level.

The gang followed the two women to the taxi forecourt and stole their suitcases, which have never been recovered.

Richards was jailed for 27 months; Whyte and Eduardo each got 23 months; Clarke-Butcher received 21 months.