A woman who exposed her vagina to passengers on a TUI flight after squatting in the aisle is facing jail. Sarah Parker, 30, from Halifax, West Yorkshire, was travelling from Birmingham Airport to Melbourne, Australia, on July 24 last year when the incident occurred.
Parker, who boarded the plane drunk, left her seat to use the bathroom during take-off despite being instructed not to. When cabin crew reminded her of the rules, she pulled down her shorts and underwear and stood in the aisle where fellow travellers could see her.
Charge Details
The charge document stated that Parker behaved in an indecent manner by "pulling down her shorts and underwear, squatting and exposing her vagina in full view of other passengers." It added that she "failed to obey a lawful command, namely sitting in her seat after being instructed to do so and making her way to the toilet."
Parker previously pleaded guilty to outraging public decency, failing to comply with the pilot's lawful safety instructions, and being intoxicated on a plane.
Court Proceedings
District judge Simon Blakebrough told her: "Exposing yourself on a plane full of passengers is quite serious."
The prosecution asked magistrates in Manchester to commit the case to the crown court because their sentencing powers would be insufficient. Edward Downes said on Tuesday: "The defendant was intoxicated on the flight from Birmingham in the UK to Florida in the US. Her behaviour was distressing to passengers causing danger."
"She was exposing her genitals in view of the passengers. The flight had to be diverted to Manchester Airport. The disruption was extensive. The financial loss was £20,000."
Next Steps
Parker's case has been sent to Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court for sentencing next month. Her sentence could range from a fine to jail time.
