Date Published: 12/09/2022
ARCHIVED - Drunk Ryanair passenger jailed for attacking crew and police aboard flight to Spain
The 55-year-old became violent when he was prevented boarding his flight from Leeds to Girona, Spain
Glenn Bailey will serve two months behind bars after assaulting a Ryanair crew member who tried to prevent the intoxicated passenger from boarding a flight from Leeds Bradford to Girona in Spain on July 13. Mr Bailey stormed onto the plane and proceeded to attack the police officers who tried to remove him.
Prosecutor Marc Luxford told the UK court that the airport staff member refused to allow the passenger to board the plane since he had “glazed eyes” and appeared drunk. Mr Bailey, of Whingate Green in Leeds, insisted he would take the flight since he had paid 600 pounds for it, and aggressively grabbed the attendant by the collar.
The accused barged through the staff and onto the plane, and was in his allocated seat by the time police officers came on board to remove him.
Mr Luxford said: "The PC went to arrest him and the defendant told him he wouldn't comply and leave the aircraft. He became verbally abusive, telling him to 'f*** off.' Officers removed him and went into the apron area."
According to witness reports, the 55-year-old continued to fight the officers on the tarmac, kicking one in the back. He was eventually subdued and brought to Elland Road police station, where he denied assaulting the PC but admitted to trying to attack the Ryanair crew member.
“By the end of the interview he said he had drunk three pint bottles of Bulmers cider and that he was a recovering alcoholic with a fear of flying," he added.
Lawyers for the passenger claimed that Mr Bailey expressed remorse for his actions and that a combination of alcohol and medication caused his outburst. However, pointing out that the accused has four previous convictions, one for obstructing a police officer, Judge Robin Mairs handed down a custodial sentence.
"This is behaviour the Court of Appeal has said must be met with punishment and deterrent sentences. It must have been distressing and disturbing for others on board, especially children.
"You were persistent in your behaviour, you carried on your obstruction and violence on a police officer, even on the tarmac. It would have been much, much worse if the aircraft was in the air," the judge concluded.
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