Holidaymakers flying to and from Newcastle Airport have had their trips disrupted by a series of disruptive and often drunk passengers, with several now facing fines or suspended prison sentences. Recent court cases have dealt with incidents involving racial abuse, indecent exposure and physical violence onboard aircraft.
Passengers sentenced for abusive behaviour
David Kelly, 56, was jailed for 10 months after shouting racist abuse and making a Nazi salute on a Jet2 flight from Turkey to Newcastle on December 19. Newcastle Crown Court heard he committed racially aggravated harassment to airline staff and members of the public, and made a homophobic remark. Kelly, who has four previous convictions including for arson and drugs offences, pleaded guilty to being drunk on an aircraft and a racially aggravated public order offence.
Anthony Morrison-Taylor was abusive towards an air steward when he was refused alcohol during an easyJet flight from Bristol to Newcastle in February 2024. When told he could not have more alcohol, he said: "You can all f*** off, I'm getting alcohol and there's nothing you can do about it." He was fined £500, ordered to pay the air steward £750 and £750 towards prosecution costs.
Indecent act and disruptive outburst
Britto Lorence exposed himself and acted indecently in front of a mother and her infant child during an Emirates flight from Dubai to Newcastle in June last year. He was sentenced to an 18-month community order with 150 hours of unpaid work, and ordered to pay £914 in costs and a victim surcharge.
Caitlin Anderson pulled out her own hair extensions during an outburst on a Ryanair plane destined for Newcastle. Police boarded the flight after landing and arrested her, and she was initially taken to hospital because it was thought she had consumed a substance. Anderson, of Govanhill Street, Glasgow, was fined £1,477 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £591 victim surcharge.
Violence and drunkenness on flights
Kevin Chapman punched his partner in the face while his young daughter was present as they flew home from a family holiday on a TUI flight from Crete to Newcastle. An off-duty police officer witnessed the assault, and cabin crew moved the woman to a different seat. He was sentenced to a four-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.
Christopher Wilkinson was fined after refusing to get off a plane for being too drunk, having consumed five pints before boarding a morning Jet2 flight at Newcastle International Airport. He was fined £300 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £120 victim surcharge after pleading guilty to being drunk in an aircraft.
Ejected before take-off
Shaun Hewitt was ejected from an Emirates flight bound for Dubai as it was about to take off after becoming disruptive and abusive. Police officers heard him make remarks as he passed them, and when they boarded the aircraft he swore at them. Hewitt, of Prince Edward Road, South Shields, who has seven previous convictions including being drunk and disorderly and violent disorder, pleaded guilty to being drunk on an aircraft. He was sentenced to two months suspended for 12 months and must pay £150 costs.
