A Manchester United fan launched a foul-mouthed tirade on an easyJet flight after claiming Manchester City supporters on board had stolen his passport.
Incident on Flight from Gibraltar
Steven Openshaw, 64, believed Blues fans on the flight to Manchester Airport had taken the travel documents from his bag as a prank when he tried to buy duty free cigarettes while flying back from Gibraltar. The court heard the 64-year-old became so enraged he stormed to the front of the aircraft as it was flying at 30,000 feet and yelled 'none of you f***ers are leaving till I get my passport'.
When cabin crew tried to intervene, Openshaw, who had been drinking before boarding, told one stewardess to 'f**k off' and called another a 'f***ing c**t'. He then swung his cabin bag around the aisle hitting other passengers and accidentally dropped the item onto an elderly man's head whilst trying to put it in an overhead locker.
Court Proceedings
Stockport Magistrates' Court was told how Openshaw, from Gorton, claimed other passengers were 'victimising' him because he supported Manchester United. He was subsequently detained by one of the passengers and was escorted away by police when the plane landed at Manchester Airport. It is not known what happened to his passport.
The court was told how the incident happened on February 17 this year after Openshaw, who describes himself as an 'untrained artist', had been flying home from Gibraltar.
Prosecution Details
Heather Loynd, prosecuting, said: "The plane had been in flight for about an hour and a half when duty free service started and that is when the issues began. The defendant tried to buy cigarettes and needed his passport to make the purchase but he was not able to find it."
"He has then walked to the front of the cabin and turned to face the whole aircraft. He claimed that someone had taken his passport and then said 'none of you f***ers are leaving till I get my passport'."
The cabin crew asked him to be quiet as there were children and families on board but his behaviour was unacceptable. The cabin crew said she could smell stale alcohol on his breath and a stewardess asked if she could assist him in finding his passport, and he agreed.
Passenger Detained Openshaw
"But she was unable to find it and he told her to 'f*** off'. He then grabbed his bag, bashing people with the bag, swinging it around and not walking in a straight line. The cabin crew assisted but he called them a 'f***ing c**t'. Ultimately he made his way back to the seat."
"He tried to put that bag in an overhead locker but it dropped onto an elderly passenger. During the incident the defendant claimed he was being victimised because he was a Manchester United supporter and everyone else was a City supporter."
"He was then seen to throw a punch but the cabin crew could not say why or who it was thrown at or whether it connected. He was detained by a passenger and cabin crew contacted the captain."
The court heard that the nearest airport at the time was Gatwick. But due to a medical situation with a crew member, the plane continued to its planned destination of Manchester Airport where police were waiting.
Openshaw Banned from easyJet
In a victim personal statement, a member of the cabin crew said Openshaw had been verbally abusive to crew and passengers. The crew member added: "His behaviour was completely unacceptable and caused a massive disruption to the flight. The passenger will be banned from easyJet in future."
In mitigation for Openshaw, defence lawyer Trevor Feehily said: "Mr Openshaw accepts that he had consumed alcohol prior to getting on the plane. Things started to go wrong when he could not find his passport."
"There were two males nearby and he suspected that they may have something to do with it. He accepted he was mistaken in that regard."
"He did become frustrated at the situation he found himself in and became very worried that he could not locate the passport."
Openshaw, of Wellington Street, Manchester, admitted being drunk on an aircraft. He was bailed to appear for sentencing at Manchester Crown Court on August 6.
