A GROUP of protestors who caused "significant disruption" at Stansted Airport have all been convicted of breaching aviation security laws.

Nine women and six men breached the airport's security during a protest which saw them gain access to a runaway and prevent a number of planes from taking off or landing.

The protestors were all found guilty of committing an aviation security offence at Chelsmford Crown Court on Monday, following a ten-week trial.

All 15 members of the group had denied single charges of intentional disruption of services at an aerodrome before the trial began.

They are due to be sentenced at the same court next year on Monday, February 4.

The illegal protest, which took place on Tuesday, March 28, saw the group travel to the perimeter of Stansted airport in hire cars, before getting out and using bolt cutters to breach a security fence.

After gaining access to a restricted area, they were able to get onto the runway before lock their arms into tubing in a bid to prevent a deportation plane from taking off.

Officers from Essex Police quickly arrived on the scene and were forced to cut the protestors out of the tubing before arresting them.

The incident saw the deportation flight cancelled and also led to a number of other cancellations on the day. Some planes set to land at Stansted were diverted to other airports because of the delays and it is understand a number of airlines suffered financial losses as a direct result of the protestors' actions.

Speaking after Monday's guilty verdict, Stansted Airport’s commander Superintendent Nick Morris said: “The actions of the people involved were dangerous and caused significant disruption to the airport and passengers.

“When they breached the airport’s perimeter, there intentions were unknown and this resulted in the runway being closed.

“Their actions disrupted many flights, which had a financial impact on airlines and forced hundreds of passengers to make other arrangements to land at other airports.

“Breaching one the UK's busiest airports is dangerous and has consequences and today's convictions shows that."

Mr Morris also confirmed additional security measures have been put in place following the protest in March.