Jet Arrest After Chiswick Road Rage

Man taken from plane by armed police

A 40 year old businessman was taken from a Heathrow flight by armed police after it was discovered a warrant for his arrest over a road rage incident that happened six months previously in Chiswick was outstanding.

Car dealer Tom Hardyment, aged 40, was travelling back from a business trip to Washington on the 24th July when the officers boarded the Virgin flight and arrested him. He was taken to Heathrow police station before being transferred to a West London police station where he was interviewed and later bailed to return pending further inquiries. His solicitor was subsequently advised that there would be no further action.

The arrest was made in connection with an incident that occurred in Chiswick on January 13th. According to Mr. Hardyment he had to swerve to avoid a car which pulled out in front of him, then a woman got out of the other car, screaming abuse at him saying that she was a nurse looking after a child. Mr. Hardyment claims he said judging by her violent behaviour she shouldn’t be in charge of children, and he’d make sure she never worked in this country again.

The woman, who was Asian, made a complaint about what she took to be a racist comment and threatening behaviour by Mr. Hardyment. A few days later the police contacted him about the incident. Mr. Hardyment claims to have tried to meet the police for an interview on two occasions but firstly the investigating officer was on holiday and on the second occasion the meeting was cancelled at short notice. He says that a date was fixed for a meeting to take place after his trip.

A spokesperson for Hounslow Police said, "We treat all allegations of race crime seriously and we take positive action in every case."

Mr. Hardyment is making an official complaint about the incident.

August 23, 2010