'Air-rage' passenger jailed

An airline passenger who subjected cabin staff to verbal and physical abuse has been jailed for six months.

The incident took place last September when self-employed hairdresser Paul Kelly was on a flight from Newcastle to Ibiza.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that the 58-year-old, from Scarborough, North Yorkshire, eventually had to be restrained by fellow passengers and cabin staff when the Boeing 757 landed in Spain.

At one point, Kelly pulled back the purser's fingers as she tried to confiscate a bottle filled with brandy, and at the end of the flight jumped from his seat and pulled at her hair and ears before pushing her to the ground.

At an earlier hearing, Kelly admitted being drunk on an aircraft and interfering with the performance of a crew member.

'Appalling' behaviour

The judge described Kelly's behaviour on the Thomas Cook flight as "appalling".

The court was told that Kelly was scared of flying and had been drinking prior to take-off.

The judge said the abuse had continued for almost the whole flight.

He said: "Your behaviour was not only appalling but was frightening for those that had to deal with you, and even more frightening for those passengers that travelled on that aeroplane for those three hours or so.

"These offences are so serious only a custodial sentence can be justified."

Kelly was given concurrent sentences of six months for interfering with the performance of a member of crew and three months for being drunk on an aircraft.