An abusive airline passenger travelling back from Jamaica to London Gatwick has been sentenced for his abusive and violent behaviour on board an aircraft.
26-year-old Omar Edwards from Medway Road, Bow, London, assaulted one of the cabin crew, took items from other passengers' seats, vaped and grabbed refreshments.
Edwards was sentenced at Crawley Magistrates to five months in prison and also ordered to pay compensation of £2,400 to the victims on board, a £500 fine, and £675 court costs.
The court was told how the incidents happened on November 12 in 2022 on a return flight from Jamaica.
Edwards was first to board the aircraft, and was seen grabbing items from seats in an area of the aircraft he was not travelling in.
He was challenged twice about this.
Then he was spoken to by a cabin crew member after he was suspected of vaping in the toilet on board.
It is illegal to use vapes as the batteries cause a risk of fire inside the aircraft.
Edwards had previously been warned about vaping on board the outbound flight from London Gatwick.
After being challenged, he became abusive and swore at cabin crew workers.
He demanded a drink and was told to sit down, and a drink would be taken to him.
But instead he snatched a carton of juice and tried to walk away.
During the incident he then assaulted a cabin crew worker..
Investigating officer Detective Constable Graham Gray from Gatwick CID said: “All abuse of cabin crew is unacceptable, it should not be seen as just a part of their job.
“Edwards’ behaviour was so poor that despite being given numerous warnings, he continued to ignore cabin crew.
“Indeed his behaviour was so poor that he was given an official written warning by the captain on board.
“This case demonstrates that abuse of airline workers is not acceptable and we will pursue offenders to ensure they are prosecuted.”
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