Drug smugglers and drunks are among those who landed themselves in court after being arrested at Newcastle Airport. One man was caught trying to smuggle drugs to the value of £80,000 into the North East before being stopped at customs. His case contained 20 kilos of cannabis and a kilo of ketamine, which would have been worth much more than £80,000 when broken down into deals.
Drug Smuggling Cases
Paul Barrett, a former soldier, brought 20 kilos of cannabis and a kilo of ketamine into Newcastle Airport on a Jet2 flight from Faro. He was stopped by customs after collecting his suitcase from the carousel. Inside the case, officers found four packages containing 20.5 kilos of cannabis resin and another package of 1.12 kilos of ketamine. The wholesale value of the drugs was £80,000, but they would have been worth much more when broken down into deals.
Appearing at Newcastle Crown Court, the 38-year-old, who has 18 previous convictions, including for possessing cocaine with intent to supply, was given "one last chance" by Judge Sarah Mallet. He was sentenced to 18 months suspended for two years with 100 hours of unpaid work. As he appeared in court to be sentenced, he shouted "get in there" when he was told he wasn't going to prison.
In another case, Laura Banks was caught trying to smuggle 16 kilos of cannabis through Newcastle Airport after a trip to Bangkok. She was stopped by a UK Border Force officer on January 30 and denied having any controlled drugs in her baggage. But officers found 15 vacuum-sealed bags, each containing 1.1 kilos of cannabis. The 44-year-old, of Sheephouse Way, New Maiden, Surrey, who has no previous convictions, later pleaded guilty to being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion on the prohibition on the importation of cannabis. She was sentenced to 18 months suspended for two years with 150 hours of unpaid work.
Disruptive Passengers
Anthony Morrison-Taylor told cabin crew to "f*** off" when he was refused alcohol on an easyJet flight from Bristol to Newcastle Airport. Newcastle Crown Court heard that the 44-year-old appeared intoxicated on the flight in February 2024 and was told he was not allowed to have more alcohol. When the reason for the refusal was repeated, he said: "You can all f*** off, I'm getting alcohol and there's nothing you can do about it." He went on to say: "You are all a bunch of *****."
The air steward contacted police through air traffic control, and Morrison-Taylor was arrested when the plane landed. He pleaded guilty to a public order offence. Judge Gavin Doig deferred sentence for six months last September on the condition he didn't commit any further alcohol-related offences. As he abided by the condition, he has now been fined £500, must pay the air steward £750, and has to pay £750 towards the costs of prosecuting him.
Ryanair cabin crew contacted police before they landed in Newcastle following an outburst from passenger Caitlin Anderson. Newcastle Magistrates' Court heard that the 25-year-old had been "disruptive" with staff, been involved in an altercation with another passenger, and pulled out her own hair extensions in what was later described as her "acting weirdly". Police boarded the plane and arrested Anderson, who was initially taken to hospital because it was thought she had "consumed a substance, which contributed to her behaviour". Magistrates fined Anderson, of Govanhill Street, in Glasgow, £1,477 and ordered her to pay £85 costs and a £591 victim surcharge.
Drunk and Disorderly
Brian Harkness had to be PAVA sprayed while trying to board a flight to Benidorm to "visit his dying gran". Newcastle Magistrates' Court heard that police were initially called to Barr 11 in Newcastle Airport on May 15 over concerns Harkness had stolen a bottle of vodka from Duty Free. At the time he was warned that he would not be allowed to fly as he was too drunk. But the 42-year-old didn't listen and went to the departure gate, which had closed, in a bid to board the flight.
When officers turned up and tried to get him to leave, Harkness refused and became abusive. His behaviour became more aggressive, and the police were forced to PAVA spray him in the face. While taking Harkness to the ground, an officer then fell and cut his head on the corner of the departure gate. Harkness, of Gordon Road, in Byker, has been fined a total of £200 and ordered to pay £200 compensation after he pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly and resisting a police officer.
