A 59-year-old man who downed duty-free vodka on an easyJet flight from Barcelona to Manchester claimed he was unaware that a homophobic slur he used against a bisexual cabin crew member was offensive. Sean Falvey, from Chadderton, Oldham, admitted being drunk on an aircraft and using threatening behaviour at Tameside Magistrates' Court.
The incident occurred on September 9 last year as the plane was descending. Falvey was asked to fasten his seatbelt and told a flight attendant, 'people like you' and 'don't be a p**f. We are getting home, we are going home.' Police were called to meet the flight upon landing.
When questioned, Falvey denied being 'inherently racist or homophobic' but continued his abuse, calling officers 'gay boys' and making racist remarks. In a statement, the cabin crew member said: 'I take the comment as being homophobic. As a bisexual man I should never be subjected to this.'
Falvey's solicitor said he was 'deeply remorseful' and 'did not appreciate' the connotation of his words. The bench chair noted the 'high culpability' due to the sustained nature of the incident and ordered Falvey to pay £100 compensation to the crew member, a £120 fine, and £133 in costs.
