FLIGHT PASSENGER SENTENCED FOR RACIST THREATS AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE AGAINST CABIN CREW
A recruitment boss, Salman Iftikhar, was sentenced to 15 months in jail after a series of aggressive and racially charged threats directed at cabin crew during an eight-hour flight from London Heathrow to Lahore.Iftikhar, 37, who is affiliated with Staffing Match, was traveling with his wife and children when the incident occurred on February 7, 2023, aboard a Virgin Atlantic flight.
According to court reports, Iftikhar was heavily intoxicated, drinking champagne at the onboard bar, and engaged in a tirade that included calling a crew member a racist term and making violent threats.
Specifically, he threatened to gang rape and set fire to the cabin crew member, Angie Walsh, stating, “You called me a P--i in front of everybody,” and later telling her to “drag her out of her hotel, gang rape and set alight.” He further attacked her verbally, calling her a “f---ing b--ch” and making racially aggravated remarks, including racial slurs.
His conduct worsened when he returned to his seat, continuing to scream and swear, even when other passengers and crew attempted to calm him down.
His behavior nearly caused the diversion of the plane to Turkey, and he made specific threats to blow up the hotel where the crew was due to stay, declaring that her floor would be blown up and the hotel would disappear.
Among the threats was a statement that she would be “dragged by her hair,” and he also threatened to “blow up the floor of the Avari Lahore Hotel, where the cabin crew were due to stay,” and stated she would “be dead on the floor of her hotel.” Following the incident, Iftikhar was arrested at his home in Iver, Buckinghamshire, on March 16, 2024, after being released by Pakistani authorities without action at the airport.
Angie Walsh, who has been with Virgin Atlantic for 37 years, reported that she had to take 14 months off work due to trauma.
Iftikhar admitted to making threats to kill and racially aggravated harassment, but was cleared of assault causing harm and threats to kill against another crew member.
Court records reveal Iftikhar has a history of criminal behavior, with six previous convictions across 15 offenses, including assault in 2004 and drink-driving in 2008.
Judge Ms.
Recorder Annabel Darlow KC described his conduct as “appalling,” particularly because threats were made in front of his young children, leading to “long-lasting and devastating consequences” for the victim.
