Social Worker in Court Over Alleged Mid-Air Assault
A 35-year-old social worker from Belfast has been formally charged after allegedly assaulting three people while on board an EasyJet aircraft in Egypt. Nadine Nugent is accused of attacking two women and a man while the plane was stationary on the tarmac at Hurghada airport on May 21 this year.
Details of the Flight and Allegations
The incident occurred on EasyJet flight EZY3077, which had departed from Belfast International Airport. The court heard that the alleged offences took place while the aircraft was on the ground in Egypt, raising complex territorial issues for the case.
Nugent faces a total of seven charges. These include three counts of common assault, and single charges of making a threat to kill, failing to comply with the lawful command of the pilot, behaving in a threatening, abusive, or insulting manner, and being drunk on an aircraft.
Legal Proceedings and Complications
During a hearing at Antrim Magistrates Court, which Nugent did not attend, the prosecution stated she had "failed to obey a lawful command which the pilot in command of an aircraft gave for the purpose of securing the safety of the aircraft".
Defence counsel Chris Sherrard highlighted that the Tokyo Convention would be a significant factor in the case. This international treaty grants powers to aircraft crew to take action against unruly passengers. Mr Sherrard also confirmed that the case would be a contested trial with no prior witness agreement.
It was revealed that Nadine Nugent had been suspended from her role as a social worker since 2023 due to unrelated issues. District Judge Nigel Broderick has adjourned the case until December 9 to set a date for what is expected to be a 'five plus one' contested trial.
