A married businessman who kissed a male flight attendant and nibbled his ear during a British Airways flight has been sentenced to 14 months in prison. Philip Gould, 64, was travelling with his wife from Nassau, Bahamas, to London Heathrow on 25 June last year when he became intoxicated and abusive.
The court heard that after being denied more alcohol, Gould told a flight attendant: 'I could take you to the toilet and give you the best blowjob of your life.' He also called crew members offensive names, lunged towards the cockpit, and shouted at the captain. Gould later claimed his behaviour was 'playful banter'.
Gould had previously pleaded guilty to sexual assault, acting in a manner likely to endanger an aircraft, and being drunk on an aircraft. Judge Hannah Duncan told him: 'Your conduct cannot be excused as playful banter. Those who get drunk on aircraft must expect prison sentences.'
The incident began three hours into the flight when Gould, who had consumed vodka and wine, started banging on the cockpit door. He pushed a crew member, causing him to stumble into a passenger, and slapped his wife in the face. He also grabbed her by the hair and shouted threats at the crew.
Gould eventually lost consciousness and was detained upon landing. In mitigation, his lawyer said he suffers from PTSD and was remorseful. Gould, from Woking, Surrey, received a 14-month sentence for endangering the aircraft, with concurrent sentences for the other offences.
