Drunk sisters vomited on aircraft after they downed wine earlier than flight

A pair of drunk twin sisters who downed wine before their flight caused chaos on a plane after they vomited and fought between themselves and with other passengers.    

A court heard that Katie and Laura Butterworth, 34, were seen ‘staggering and slurring their words’ as they boarded their flight from Manchester to Fuerteventura in June. 

The pair were treated as a ‘manageable problem’ by the cabin crew who allowed them to take their seats. 

However, before the plane was even in the air, the two women began a drunken brawl after one of their bags fell out of the overhead locker.  

When told to calm down, Laura called another passenger ‘vile’ and was said to be ‘completely incoherent’ and ‘volatile’ with staff before being moved when she vomited.

Meanwhile mother-of-three Katie, who runs a printing company with her husband, kept jumping out of her seat to argue with staff whilst other passengers had their seatbelts on.  

The altercation forced the plane to return to the terminal and the two sisters, both from Stockport in Greater Manchester, were arrested. 

The holidaymakers were left on the plane and take-off was delayed by an hour.

At Manchester Crown Court Judge Patrick Field KC said the sisters should have been refused entry at the terminal gate by TUI staff. 

He said: ‘Staff knew both of these passengers were drunk before the plane embarked on its journey. A statement says cabin crew told one stewardess the defendants were intoxicated due to them staggering around and slurring their words. But it doesn’t say whether any action was taken at all.

‘Does history relate why these women were not removed from the flight immediately and arrested – as indeed would have been inappropriate? It would have been the right thing to do.

‘Had an incident occurred in the air, and the cabin crew were found to have done nothing about removing these people, one can only imagine where the inquiries would have led.’

Judge Field told the two women: ‘Some people think it’s acceptable to get an on an aircraft after drinking to excess and then to inflict their unpleasant entitled and obnoxious bad behaviour upon fellow passengers and air crew – well it isn’t.

‘You are intelligent and well educated women who both should have known better than to behave in the way that you did. You were plainly very drunk when you boarded the aircraft and you were reckless and, thoughtless for the safety, convenience and happiness of your fellow passengers.

‘You described another passenger’s behaviour as ‘vile’ but that epithet was perhaps more apposite to describe your own behaviour.

‘The aircraft was still on the ground well before it became airborne and was able return to the terminal so you could be removed. However the risk is always there when people are drink and misbehaving in a confined space.

‘Cabin crew were aware both of you were drunk before the aircraft door was closed. Why you were not arrested at that stage is not I’m afraid adequately explained.’

The court heard that the holiday on June 1 this year had been booked to celebrate Katie agreeing a management plan to settle long standing debts she had accrued.

Adam White prosecuting said: ‘As the plane was taxi-ing a bag belonging to one of the defendants fell into the aisle and the contents spilled onto the floor.

‘It seemed to trigger an argument between the two sisters who were sat in front of each other. Laura then began abusive towards another female passenger calling her ‘vile’ and was moved to another part of the plane. She was described as clearly intoxicated and completely incoherent and volatile towards crew members. She then began vomiting as the plane.

‘Katie decided to leave her seat and became argumentative towards cabin crew saying she had not done anything wrong. She was told to sit down but was constantly up and down out of her seat whilst the plane was taxi-ing. As a result of the defendants’ behaviour the crew decided to turn back the plane without it taking off and police were waiting to arrest them at the terminal.’

Mr White said there was explanation for the two women being allowed on the flight when drunk other that stewardess Jane Wheatley believing they were a ‘manageable problem.’

When detained Katie who had consumed two glasses of wine ahead of take off said: ‘I just got blanketed with Laura. They treated us as the same person and I’m getting the equal blame when what I did was not the same.’

Laura gave no reply to officers.

The court heard Katie who has a degree in accountancy had a previous conviction last year for being drunk and disorderly at a pub in Manchester city centre.

Her counsel Miss Sarah Hussell said: ‘Katie was not intoxicated, It is accepted she had two glasses of wine before boarding but she was cooperative with police and was steady on her feet. She had been looking forward to a holiday with her sister after a stressful period in her life in which she was home-schooling her eight year old child whilst running a business.

‘She had also agreed a payment plan with debts for a loan and the holiday represented an inexpensive week in the sun which did not go to plan. It got off to a bad start and did not continue.’

For Laura Miss Naomi Duckworth said her client was pursuing a career in the fire service.

She added: ‘She has expressed her deep remorse and embarrassment for her actions. It was a mistake which was out of character for her.’

Both women were given 12 month community orders and were each ordered to pay £90 costs. 

Katie who admitted a charge of intentionally interfering with performance of aircraft crew members’ duty was also ordered to complete 60 hours unpaid work and 15 rehabilitation requirement days whilst Laura who admitted being drunk on an aircraft was ordered to undertake 120 hours unpaid work.