Anogola Siyolwe, 62, has been fined £320 after pleading guilty to a public order offence, being drunk in an aircraft and failing to obey a lawful command of a pilot. The charges stem from an incident on an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Zambia to London Heathrow on June 10 2025.
Newcastle Magistrates' Court heard that Siyolwe, of Thorpe Close, in Arthur's Hill, Newcastle, began drinking whiskey during the 18-hour journey. He soon became intoxicated and started shouting racist abuse aimed at Muslims, particularly a woman sitting in front of him wearing a hijab.
Abusive outbursts continued despite warnings
Clare Haswell, prosecuting, said police were called to Heathrow Airport to deal with a male who was drunk onboard the flight. Siyolwe made racist comments towards other passengers and refused to co-operate with cabin crew instructions.
Despite numerous requests by cabin crew to stop and to keep his voice down, Siyolwe refused and carried on causing offence to fellow passengers. He told crew he didn't have a problem with the airline but had a problem with Muslims. He smelled of alcohol and had been drinking a bottle of whiskey, which was sitting next to him.
The court heard Siyolwe's behaviour continued, and he said "I hate Muslims" to various individuals onboard, particularly to a Muslim woman wearing a hijab who was sitting in front of him. He was also heard to say "I do not know why Muslims need to cover themselves" and "Everywhere Muslims go, they cause problems".
Pilot's commands ignored
The pilot of the Ethiopian Airlines flight was forced to tell Siyolwe to sit down and be quiet, but he again refused to listen to the instructions.
Rebecca Stephenson, defending, said Siyolwe hadn't boarded the flight drunk but had begun drinking during the journey. She added: "He very rarely drinks. He'd had little sleep during the flight and can't recall much of his actions. He's incredibly ashamed of his behaviour. He'd had an incredibly stressful time in Zambia and was recovering from that. That involved a tenant in Zambia causing damage to his property."
Siyolwe, who owns a property in Zambia but claims benefits in the UK, was fined £320 and must pay £100 compensation to the female Muslim, £85 costs and a £128 victim surcharge.
