A FARMER plans to tighten up vetting procedures for people using his airfield, after a man who kept his plane there used it in a drugs operation.

Tim Spurge, who owns Great Oakley Airfield, was given a false name by Sidney Wright, 52, of Seaforth Road, Westcliff, when he left his Cessna 172 aircraft at the site.

The Gazette told yesterday how Wright used the plane to take off from the airfield and drop a package of cocaine and firearms on farmland at Bradfield, near Manningtree.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard he took off on February 25 without supplying details of where he was going, which is against Civil Aviation Authority rules.

Wright was jailed after he admitted a charge of possessing cocaine with intent to supply and possessing firearms.

Mr Spurge told the Gazette that Wright first came to his airfield last autumn but gave a false name of Steve Richardson.

He said: “He paid to park his aircraft with us and bought fuel from us and was keeping a low profile.

“It is not what we would expect, but perhaps there is a need for us to be vigilant and check people’s credentials.”

The Great Oakley parish councillor added the airfield operated closely with the police to ensure people’s movements were legitimate.

“The vast majority of people who own aircraft are those who enjoy flying and are enthusiasts,” he said.

“Airfelds like our own represent local flyers for local needs.

“From my point of view I am pleased the person has been caught for his bad acts and they must be punished for what they have been up to.

“We will be looking carefully at our vetting process and people coming to us, although the name he gave us was not the name that was in court.”

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