David Kelly, 56, has been sentenced to ten months in prison for being drunk and offensive on a Jet2 flight from Turkey to Newcastle. Newcastle Crown Court heard that on 19 December last year, Kelly became intoxicated and carried out racially aggravated harassment towards airline crew and fellow passengers, including a homophobic slur.
Racist outburst and Nazi salute
During the flight, Kelly declared "Hitler knew" while performing a Nazi salute. He also singled out a Turkish passenger, branding him a terrorist, alongside other racist comments. Saba Shan, prosecuting, said: "When he initially boarded the plane and, it would seem, in the first couple of hours, he was enjoying himself. He was loud and boisterous with lots of laughter."
"Regrettably as he became visibly more intoxicated, his behaviour deteriorated. There are statements from staff and passengers which describe how the defendant became angry and animated and started ranting." Miss Shan added: "A young family were distressed by his actions and were moved from the row behind him."
Arrest and sentencing
Cabin crew relocated passengers who felt threatened, and police were contacted to detain Kelly upon arrival at Newcastle Airport. Kelly, of Bek Road, Newton Hall, County Durham, admitted guilt to being intoxicated on an aircraft and a racially aggravated public order offence. He has four prior convictions, including for arson and drug-related offences.
Recorder David Gordon stated: "Those who become drunk and disorderly on board an aircraft must ordinarily expect an immediate custodial sentence because of the fear and distress caused to passengers and crew and because of the potential implications with regard to safety." He added that the offences occurred in a confined environment where passengers and crew could not remove themselves, and that Kelly's conduct "created genuine fear among those on board and carried an inherent safety concern, particularly during the landing phase of the flight."
Defence and character references
Brian Hegarty, defending, said Kelly was remorseful, explaining that the incident was sparked by an argument over politics. He noted that Kelly had not required restraining and had not physically attacked anyone, adding: "His behaviour was reprehensible and unpleasant but was restricted to words alone." The court received character references, including from a magistrate and a former Metropolitan Police officer, who described Kelly as hardworking, helpful and community-minded.
