A grandmother who became intoxicated on a transatlantic flight and assaulted a flight attendant has been sentenced to six months in prison. Doris Healy, 56, from Liverpool, admitted punching stewardess Paula Dilworth three times in the face as the aircraft approached landing.
The incident occurred on an Air 2000 flight from Manchester to Florida last year. Healy, who had consumed three Bacardi and Cokes and was later found with a three-quarters empty duty-free bottle of rum under her seat, became increasingly disruptive. She used abusive language, repeatedly pressed the call bell, complained about food, and swore in front of children.
Prosecutor Joanna Radikis told Manchester Crown Court that Healy stood up as the plane came in to land. When Ms Dilworth, 26, asked her to sit down, Healy punched her three times. The court heard that Ms Dilworth suffered nightmares, insomnia, and took three weeks off work. She required counselling and is now seeking a new job due to fear of dealing with unruly passengers.
Healy's defence counsel, Gerald Baxter, said she was of previously 'impeccable' character and was deeply ashamed of her behaviour. Her husband Thomas wept during sentencing. The judge noted that the Civil Aviation Authority reports an average of four air rage incidents daily on British aircraft and called for a change in the law to ban passengers from consuming their own alcohol on flights.
