Adrian Sharrott (Pic: PA)
An experienced airline pilot was jailed for five years today for raping a 30-year-old woman he met at a hotel bar.
Married Adrian Sharrott, 58, attacked the victim when they returned to her hotel room after meeting for the first time, police said.
At the time, he was a senior captain with Thomson Airways and, like the victim, was staying at the Sofitel Hotel at Gatwick Airport in West Sussex while on a training course.
A seven-day trial at Lewes Crown Court heard that the rape happened in the early hours of April 6 last year, but the "deeply shocked" victim did not go to police.
Instead, she confided in friends and colleagues who reported the attack to officers the following month, prompting an inquiry by Sussex Police.
Jailing Sharrott, who lived with his wife and family in Guernsey at the time of the offence, Judge Guy Anthony said he had shown no remorse for his actions.
Detectives described Sharrott - an airline pilot with more than 30 years flying experience - as an "arrogant and overbearing man".
Detective Constable Steve Smethurst, of Sussex Police, said: "The court clearly found that this was a case of an arrogant and overbearing man who felt that he was beyond contradiction and resistance by his victim.
"He claimed that what happened was consensual but the jury evidently did not believe him.
"We were very impressed by the dignity and strength of character of the victim in supporting the prosecution and in giving evidence at the trial, including more than two hours of testing cross-examination.
"Police throughout the country will always take seriously any information about alleged offending of this type, whenever and wherever it comes from, and will treat victims with great discretion, offering them a range of support services."
Following the case, a Thomson Airways spokesman said: "We worked closely with the police during their inquiries, as well as conducting our own internal investigation. The pilot in question is no longer employed by the airline."
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