A GANG of Gatwick staff who plotted to steal £2.4 million of goods have been jailed for nearly 35 years.

The 15 men took cigarettes, perfume, alcohol and electrical goods worth a combined value of £2,432,665 between January and August 2013.

They were employed to load planes with items belonging to catering company Gate Gourmet, which supplies airlines at the airport.

But the company noticed a large stock discrepancy of goods at the airport in February 2013 and reported it to Sussex Police.

The force's Operation Ottawa saw 80 officers investigate before the arrests were made in July that year with help of Surrey and Kent forces.

At Lewes Crown Court on Friday the group - including 11 from Sussex - were handed prison sentences.

Eight were convicted of conspiracy to steal and money laundering.

There are: Assembler William Webber, 61, of Salisbury Road, driver Pietro Bernone, 29,of Oakapple Close, unemployed Mindaugas Baranauskas, 36, of Denchers Plat, and HGV driver Alan Hunt, 58, of Titmus Drive, all of Crawley. Telecommunications worker Peter Simmonds, 51, of Montgomery Drive, Bognor; unemployed Christopher Allen, 55, of Lansdowne Way, Angmering; driver William Ayling, 62, of Mayo Road, Brighton and factory worker Keith Gosling, 58, of Ashurst Way, East Preston.

Hunt was handed 24 months behind bars, while Webber, Ayling and Simmonds all received 28 month sentences. Bernone was given 32 months and Baranauskas was handed 43 months. Gosling got 28 months.

HGV driver Richard Beaumont, 60, of Edinburgh Close, Southwater, and driver Stewart Morris, 54, of Southwark Close, Crawley, were both convicted of conspiracy to steal but acquitted of money laundering. They were each sentenced to 24 months in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 180 hours of community work.

Sales assistant Viktorija Gudonyte, 33, of Lavington Close, Crawley, was convicted of theft and sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years.

Inspector Andy Richardson said it was a "well-organised operation on a huge scale".

He added: "The extensive sentences given to those involved in this case demonstrates the seriousness of the offences and I sincerely hope they learn from their mistakes. However, the effects of their sentences are likely to continue long after their release from prison, as these individuals will find it more difficult to find future employment.

"These convictions are the result of an extensive operation and I would like to extend my gratitude to everyone involved in helping to bring these criminals to justice."