David Kelly, 56, was jailed for ten months after becoming drunk and abusive on a Jet2 flight from Turkey to Newcastle, shouting racist abuse and performing a Nazi salute
A boozy plane passenger who terrified families by shouting racist slurs and performing a Nazi salute has been sentenced to prison.
On December 19 last year, David Kelly, 56, was on a Jet2 flight from Turkey to Newcastle when he became inebriated and abusive. Newcastle Crown Court heard how he subjected airline staff and fellow passengers to racially aggravated harassment and also made a homophobic comment.
Prosecutor Saba Shan stated: “When he initially boarded the plane and, it would seem, in the first couple of hours, he was enjoying himself. He was loud and boisterous with lots of laughter.
“Regrettably as he became visibly more intoxicated, his behaviour deteriorated. There are statements from staff and passengers which describe how the defendant became angry and animated and started ranting.”
Among his offensive actions, Kelly declared “Hitler knew” before making a Nazi salute. He also singled out a Turkish passenger, branding him a terrorist, and made other racist and one homophobic remark.
Miss Shan added: “A young family were distressed by his actions and were moved from the row behind him.”, reports Chronicle Live. Crew members did their utmost to manage his behaviour by offering alternative seating to passengers disturbed by his antics.
Kelly, from Bek Road, Newton Hall, County Durham, remained standing in his seat and initially refused to sit down and fasten his seatbelt as the plane began its descent. Staff had alerted the police, who were ready to apprehend him upon arrival at Newcastle Airport.
Kelly, who has a criminal history with four previous convictions, including arson and drug offences, admitted to being intoxicated on an aircraft and committing a racially aggravated public order offence.
Sentencing him to 10 months in prison, Recorder David Gordon stated: “Those who become drunk and disorderly on board an aircraft must ordinarily expect an immediate custodial sentence because of the fear and distress caused to passengers and crew and because of the potential implications with regard to safety.
“You repeatedly shouted abuse, including racist and, on one occasion, homophobic abuse and made threats of violence and ignored efforts by cabin crew to calm the situation.
“The offences occurred in the uniquely confined environment of an aircraft in flight. Passengers and crew could not remove themselves from it. Families and other passengers were alarmed and distressed.
“Cabin crew were required to divert their attention from their own duties to manage your behaviour. Your conduct created genuine fear among those on board and carried an inherent safety concern, particularly during the landing phase of the flight.
“This offending caused distress and alarm to numerous passengers and crew members and it included vile repeated racist utterances and a homophobic utterance.”
Brian Hegarty, in defence, stated that his client was remorseful and explained that the incident began after Kelly had a political disagreement with another passenger. He emphasised that Kelly did not require restraining and did not assault anyone, stating: “His behaviour was reprehensible and unpleasant but was restricted to words alone.”
The court received character references for Kelly, including testimonials from a magistrate and a former Metropolitan Police officer. He was described as diligent, helpful and community-oriented.
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