Social Worker Accused of Mid-Air Assault on Egypt-Bound Flight
A 35-year-old social worker from Belfast is at the centre of a legal battle after being charged with seven offences following an alleged 'air rage' attack. Nadine Nugent did not attend a hearing at Antrim Magistrates Court, which was sitting in Ballymena on Tuesday.
The charges relate to an incident said to have occurred on May 21st this year aboard an easyJet flight, EZY3077, travelling from Belfast International Airport to Hurghada in Egypt.
Details of the Charges and Defence Position
Nugent faces a total of seven charges. These include three counts of common assault against two women and a man. She is also charged with single counts of making a threat to kill, failing to comply with a lawful command from the pilot, behaving in a threatening, abusive, or insulting manner, and being drunk on an aircraft.
Her defence barrister, Chris Sherrard, stated that the "majority" of the incidents are alleged to have taken place not in the air, but while the aircraft was on the tarmac at Hurghada airport. Mr Sherrard confirmed that "none of the matters are accepted" by the accused.
Legal Complexities and Territorial Issues
The case is complicated by jurisdictional questions. The defence has highlighted that "territorial issues arise" because the alleged offences occurred in Egypt. Furthermore, with several charges brought under air navigation legislation, the application of the Tokyo Convention will be a key point of contention.
This international treaty, established in 1963, governs crimes committed on civilian aircraft and determines which nation has jurisdiction. The defence will question whether the plane is considered "British-controlled" for the purposes of prosecution by the Public Prosecution Service in Northern Ireland.
District Judge Nigel Broderick has adjourned the case until December 9th to set a date for a fully contested trial, with no witness agreement in place.
