A mum has been spared jail after she unleashed a drunken attack and pushed a flight attendant on her way back from a family holiday.
On her way back from Gran Canaria on September 30, Shirley Devine, 44, became “aggressive” and launched a foul-mouthed fit of rage at cabin crew, prosecutor Sam Eskdale said
Devine is said to have pushed an airline employee from behind as she tried to get passed her, before launching a expletive-laden, fat-shaming, misogynistic tirade.
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The cabin crew warned Manchester Airport that they needed the police, and Devine was then arrested when the flight landed.
(Image: MEN Media)
She was then put in the back of a police van and began “thrashing” around and banging her head.
Although she allegedly reeked of alcohol on the flight, Devine was actually ordered by the courts weeks before the holiday to remain abstinent from alcohol.
This was after she appeared in Liverpool Crown Court for drink driving and dangerous driving offences.
Anthony Horsfall, Devine’s barrister, said she “turned to alcohol” after a long-term relationship broke down, and following the sudden passing of her dad.
Judge Elizabeth Nicholls deferred sentencing until 4th April to allow time for Devine’s progress to be monitored. The alcohol abstinence order was ordered to continue.
The Judge told Devine: “You may consider yourself very fortunate. The experience of a drunk person in the confines of an aircraft is terrifying. It poses a risk to safety.
“You are an alcoholic. That is an illness. Perhaps you have less control than others over your intake and ingestion of alcohol.”
Judge Nicolls warned that if there was any failure to comply with the alcohol abstinence order, then they will take Devine into custody.
Devine pleaded guilty to being drunk on an aircraft.
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