A drunk man racially abused a woman before sexually assaulting a person on a flight to Stansted Airport, leading to a high-level community order. Orlando Morris told a fellow passenger he 'hates' black people and then inappropriately touched a person.
Police met the flight when it arrived at Stansted Airport on December 31 last year. The 33-year-old was detained by officers but was taken to the floor after spitting into the face of an officer.
Court hears of 'degrading and humiliating' conduct
A Magistrate described the conduct as 'degrading and humiliating'. They also said there had been 'extreme distress' caused.
George Dixon, prosecutor, said: 'The offences took place as the plane was landing and moments afterwards. There was an overwhelming suggestion the defendant was heavily intoxicated. What began was a period of unacceptable behaviour towards members of the public.'
Mr Dixon said Morris' racist abuse included telling a woman next to him that he 'hates the black people'. Staff on the flight challenged him over the conduct but Morris then 'put his hand on a male's bottom' and tried to sexually touch another person.
Victims describe behaviour as 'wholly inappropriate'
'Victims of the sexual assault said it was wholly inappropriate behaviour and not something they should be subjected to,' Mr Dixon added. The behaviour was described as 'drunk and aggressive' towards the victims.
Chelmsford Magistrates' Court heard Morris had no previous convictions before admitting sexual assault, attempted sexual assault, racial harassment and assaulting a police officer.
Magistrates were told that Morris' use of substances in the year leading up to the offending had 'gotten worse', but he had already booked himself onto a programme to address this. The court heard he expressed remorse when interviewed by police and has no memory of what had happened.
Community order imposed
'He has used the time [since the offence] wisely to address his behaviour, the reasons behind his behaviour, by making significant changes,' Caroline Woodley, defence, said.
Magistrates imposed a high-level community order on Morris, ordering him to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and pay £300 in total compensation to the victims.
'A high-level community order is recommended by the Probation Service as what we agree is the most appropriate sentence,' Magistrate Anne Everitt said. 'Your behaviour was quite outrageous and unacceptable is the mildest term for it. Fortunately, other than extreme distress, no physical harm was caused, and it was not a prolonged matter or planned. It was bad behaviour under the influence of alcohol.'
