Two sisters have been jailed after raiding Gatwick Airport’s duty-free for thousands of pounds worth of items.
Georgina and Laura Epitropou, from Crawley, targeted duty-free stores at the airport over 10 months, stuffing £80,000 worth of perfume and make-up in empty suitcases.
To access the stores at Gatwick Airport, the pair required a ticket to bypass security so they could buy international flights before conducting their heists.
The elaborate scheme had begun with just one sister, but as it went on, the other joined.
While one sister distracted a staff member in the store, the other would fill the empty suitcase with stolen items, Lewes Crown Court heard.
However, after an investigation into their crimes, Georgina, 42 and Laura, 45, were arrested.
Gatwick CID found the pair made 22 internal flights over 10 months.
Daniel Cummins from the Crown Prosecution Service said: ‘Despite claiming that they were in debt when they were arrested, it was clear that both sisters were living beyond their means and using these thefts to fund their lavish lifestyles, which included cosmetic surgery.
‘They were stealing to order, putting significant planning into these thefts, deciding how many items to take and even lowering that number after Laura was arrested by Police Scotland with stolen goods in her possession.
‘The women sold the stolen products at around half the price they retailed for, making thousands in the process through online marketplaces and sales to individuals.’
The pair were charged with conspiracy to steal items, and older sister Laura was also charged with acquiring criminal property.
The siblings pleaded guilty to all charges and were sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison.
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