A drunk holidaymaker planning to fly out to to Italy woke up in a police cell with no recollection of how he got there, a court heard. David Ballantyne became drunk and 'aggressive' towards staff after having a 'few vodkas' in the departure lounge before his flight to Sorrento, BirminghamLive reports.
The 55-year-old claimed he took medication which did not mix well with alcohol. Ballantyne, of Patterdale in Rugby, attended Birmingham Magistrates' Court on Wednesday and admitted being drunk and disorderly in a public place.
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He was fined £200 and ordered to pay an £80 victim surcharge on top of £50 in costs. The incident occurred on April 21 this year.
Prosecutor Navneet Ahluwalia said: "Officers were requested to the departure lounge at Birmingham Airport to a report of the defendant shouting and being aggressive."
She told the court he called one officer a 't***' and warned he would 'kick the f*** out of you'. Judge David Wain said: "He continued to swear and be abusive and so he was taken out of Gate 47 and put in a police van, which ended his attempt to go on holiday."
Ballantyne, representing himself, said: "I put my hands up to it."
He added: "When I went in the lounge I had a couple of bacon sandwiches and a few vodkas. I shouldn't have had medication with alcohol.
"I wound up in a cell with no recollection of anything. I'm really sorry I've not been in trouble for years. I regret what happened and I apologised to everyone."
Ballantyne confirmed he was able to catch a flight to Sorrento the following day. Judge Wain added: "Airports are particularly sensitive places to be. They are full of families trying to go on holiday.
"Some maybe anxious about flying and the last thing they need to be faced with is someone being drunk and abusive towards others. You also distracted police from doing what they should be doing."
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