A plane passenger who tried to headbutt several off-duty police officers when he was drunk on a flight has escaped jail.
Edgars Emsins, 36, had drunk a “large amount of rum” he downed after buying a 750ml bottle of Captain Morgan's in the Tenerife airport before the trip to Gatwick.
During the flight from the Spanish holiday island he became abusive to his family and cabin crew.
Three off-duty officers identified themselves to members of the cabin crew to offer assistance, and helped restrain Emsins on board.
Because of his behaviour he had to be restrained away from all the other passengers.
He shouted and attempted to headbutt the officers, but was then arrested when the plane landed at the airport's North Terminal .
On March 15, Emsins, of no fixed address, admitted three counts of assault by beating and one count of being drunk on board an aircraft.
He was sentenced to a 16-week suspended prison sentence with £85 costs and a £154 victim surcharge.
Detective Sergeant Ian Warncken from Gatwick CID said: “Emsins’ behaviour was completely unacceptable.
“Cabin crew and fellow air passengers should not have to put up with drunk and abusive behaviour on board an aircraft.
“The three off-duty officers showed great professionalism to safely detain him, so that he could be immediately arrested.
“This case is a warning about the dangers of consuming alcohol before boarding flights, and demonstrates our determination to catch offenders who are drunk on board."
