DRUNK DAD PUNCHES PARTNER ON FLIGHT TO NEWCASTLE, NARROWLY AVOIDS JAIL
A drunken man named Kevin Chapman caused a disturbance on a flight from Crete to Newcastle when he became aggressive and violent.The court heard that he was drinking heavily from bottles of Duty Free vodka during the journey, which led to him being loud, abusive, and causing distress among other passengers.
Kevin Chapman, of Hylton Road in Pennywell, Sunderland, suddenly lashed out and punched his partner in the face in front of their young daughter while the family was returning from holiday.
The incident occurred onboard an overnight flight from Crete to Newcastle on June 11 this year.
An off-duty police officer, who was also a passenger on the flight, observed Chapman's intoxication and behavior.
Flight crew had to intervene and move the victim to another seat for her safety.
Initially, there was consideration of diverting the plane, but it landed at Newcastle International Airport as scheduled.
Police arrested Chapman upon arrival.
He admitted to being drunk on the flight but denied assaulting his girlfriend.
At Newcastle Magistrates' Court, Chapman pleaded guilty to being drunk on an aircraft and assault by beating.
The court was told he had been drinking heavily and showed signs of intoxication.
The prosecuting lawyer, Glenda Beck, stated, "He showed signs of intoxication.
The officer asked a member of cabin crew to intervene as the noise levels were high.
The defendant was warned about his behaviour.
The female [his partner] was sat next to the defendant and was trying to stop him shouting and getting him to sit down." Chapman then lashed out, punching his partner in the face before continuing to shout at her.
The couple was separated in-flight, with the woman moved to a different seat.
The decision was made to land the plane at Newcastle International Airport.
Police were waiting at the airport when Chapman arrived; he was arrested.
During police interview, Chapman admitted he had been drunk on the flight but denied assaulting his girlfriend.
His defense argued that he suffers from significant mental health issues and that he does not normally drink but did so that night because of a "fear of flying." Chapman was sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £154 victim surcharge.
The judge, District Judge Paul Currer, criticized his behaviour, calling it "completely appalling" and recounting how he had been drinking from bottles of vodka provided by aircraft staff and purchased from Duty Free, which led to him being loud, drunk, and abusive, causing distress to other passengers.
