A drunk Jet2 passenger who terrified families with racist tirades and Nazi gestures has been sent to prison.
On December 19 last year, David Kelly, 56, was travelling on a Jet2 service from Turkey to Newcastle when he became offensive to cabin crew and passengers after drinking alcohol on the flight.
Newcastle Crown Court was told he carried out racially aggravated harassment to those onboard, while also making a homophobic slur.
Offensive outburst
Prosecutor Saba Shan 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."
During his offensive outburst, Kelly declared "Hitler knew" before performing a Nazi salute. He also targeted a Turkish passenger, branding him a terrorist, alongside delivering additional racist comments and one homophobic insult.
Miss Shan stated: "A young family were distressed by his actions and were moved from the row behind him."
Members of staff did their best to manage his behaviour by offering alternative seating to passengers alarmed by his behaviour.
Arrest and sentencing
Kelly, of Bek Road, Newton Hall, County Durham, stood in his seat and initially refused to sit down and put his seatbelt on as the plane began its descent to land. Staff had alerted police, who were waiting to arrest him at Newcastle Airport.
Kelly, who has four previous convictions, including for arson and drugs offences, pleaded guilty to being drunk on an aircraft and a racially aggravated public order offence.
Jailing him for ten months, Recorder David Gordon said: "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."
"You repeatedly shouted abuse, including racist and, on one occasion, homophobic abuse and made threats of violence and ignored efforts by cabin crew to calm the situation."
"The offences occurred in the uniquely confined environment of an aircraft in flight. Passengers and crew could not remove themselves from it. Families and other passengers were alarmed and distressed."
"Cabin crew were required to divert their attention from their own duties to manage your behaviour. Your conduct created genuine fear among those on board and carried an inherent safety concern, particularly during the landing phase of the flight."
"This offending caused distress and alarm to numerous passengers and crew members and it included vile repeated racist utterances and a homophobic utterance."
Defence and character references
Brian Hegarty, defending, said he is remorseful and said the incident started after Kelly argued with another passenger about politics. He added that Kelly did not need to be restrained and did not assault anyone and said: "His behaviour was reprehensible and unpleasant but was restricted to words alone."
The court was provided with character references about Kelly, including from a magistrate and a former Metropolitan Police officer. He was said to be hard-working, helpful and community minded.
