A New Zealand woman accused of drunkenly dancing in the aisle on a Sydney flight has failed to appear in court, prompting a warrant for her arrest. Sheree Young, 50, was charged after allegedly ignoring safety instructions, swearing at cabin crew, and dancing as the pilot taxied for takeoff on 21 July.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) said the pilot aborted takeoff and returned to the gate, requesting assistance to remove Young. She allegedly became argumentative and non-compliant before being escorted off the plane. The flight eventually departed, and Young was released from custody in Mascot the following day, returning to New Zealand.
Young faces charges of failing to comply with cabin crew safety instructions, carrying a maximum fine of $16,500, and resisting a Commonwealth official, punishable by up to two years in prison. She was due to appear at Sydney's John Maddison Tower on Wednesday but did not attend.
The judge adjourned the case until 17 September, declining to execute a warrant due to the case's lack of severity. Young's listed residence is Barcaldine, Queensland, though she is a New Zealand citizen.
AFP Detective Acting Inspector Trevor Robinson criticised her behaviour, stating it caused a delayed takeoff and inconvenienced hundreds of passengers. 'They are potentially ruining the travel plans of hundreds of other people,' he said.
