A drunken British bloke travelling with his boozed-up mum threatened to “chin” an easyJet crew member after they took away his drink.
Benjamin Lynch was on a packed flight to Manchester from Turkey when he became drunk, falling onto another passenger as it landed. He also stumbled down the aisle while the seatbelt lights were still on in taxi, a court heard.
His dishevelled and disorderly behaviour began around the halfway mark of the four and-a-half hour flight from Antalya, which prompted cabin crew to take away Benjamin’s drinks.
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In turn, Benjamin threatened to “chin” the crew member then stood up and squared up to him, knocking over drinks as he did, Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court heard.
(Image: Getty Images)
The Mirror reports around 179 other passengers were on the easyJet plane back from Antalya at the time, including babies and young children.
The judge sentencing Benjamin and his mum, Patricia, who was also on board and boozed-up, acknowledged they must have been “terrified” when the incident happened in May 2023.
Patricia Lynch, 59, and her son, 29, both pleaded guilty to being drunk on board an aircraft. The pair, both from Ribbleton, Lancashire, were sentenced at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court yesterday (Tuesday, May 14).
(Image: MEN Media)
The younger Lynch – who the court heard has 14 previous convictions for 23 offences – was jailed for four months.
His mother, who told police officers to f*** off as they tried to arrest her son on arrival but has no previous convictions, was jailed for two months, suspended for two years, and ordered to complete 80 hours of unpaid work, MEN reports.
Judge Jonathan Seely said Benjamin displayed “gross selfishness and a complete lack of respect”.
(Image: MEN MEDIA)
He said: “The behaviour was started by you, Benjamin Lynch, and went on for a very long time. You behaviour was disgraceful – totally selfish. You should not get on an aeroplane as an adult if you cannot control your drinking or your behaviour.
“Those who become drunk on an aircraft whilst in flight must expect a custodial sentence. A lot of people on that flight were probably terrified of flying. Then when someone kicks off like you did – why should they have to suffer your abuse?”
The court heard halfway through the flight, Benjamin was first spotted standing at the back of the plane speaking loudly and swearing. He was warned, but didn’t stop.
(Image: MEN Media)
About an hour before landing, a passenger asked to be moved because of Lynch’s behaviour, but the court heard he “tried to provoke a reaction”, pushing the man and “entering his space.
The court heard after Benjamin had his drinks taken away from him, he went to the toilet four times on approach to Manchester then “began stumbling” down the aisle as the plane taxied to a gate after it landed, falling onto a passenger with a baby nearby at one stage.
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