Two louts abused airline staff who refused to let them on to a plane because they were too drunk.
Glynn Martin and Jason McKiver, had both been drinking spirits in the lounge at Manchester Airport prior to a flight to Tenerife, on October 15 last year. As they made their way to board an EasyJet plane, airline staff watched them "stumble down the air bridge" and noted that they could "barely stand up", Bolton Magistrate's Court heard.
Prosecuting, Jane Deakin told the court that they were met at the door of the plane by captain David Etchells and cabin crew member Jemma Grieves. After being told that they weren't fit to fly, they insisted that they would just go to sleep in their seat.
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When it became apparent that airline staff would not be letting them on, the "situation escalated", Ms Deakin said. Martin got in Ms Grieves' face and shouted: “I know who you are and will remember what you look like.”
Both men then started to "push and prod" Mr Etchells in shoulder, the court heard. He told them to stop touching him and ordered other members of cabin crew to call the police.
Martin, 44, was heard to say: "I don't want to spend another night in clink" and walked back up the air bridge. McKiver, 43, stayed and said: "I’m going to get on this f***ing airplane, you aren’t going to stop me going anywhere," before trying to push past Mr Etchells to get to his seat.
Mr Etchells tried to calm McKiver down and asked to see his boarding pass. It was at this point that he realised he had left his bag on the air bridge and he left the plane to get it.
Mr Etchells then asked crew to pull the barrier back across to stop him getting back on. Police arrived shortly after and arrested both men.
In a victim personal statement, Ms Grieves said that she has worked for the airline for 17 years and stated: "I have never felt as badly intimidated as I did today." She said that she felt 'helpless' and had to withdraw from working on the flight as she felt she 'could not provide a service to the passengers or crew'.
Mr Etchells said that the incident 'left him feeling deeply concerned about the safety of the crew and passengers'. He went on to say that he has had recurring flashbacks of the incident.
Both men pleaded guilty to entering an aircraft when drunk and using threatening, abusive, insulting words or behaviour with the intent to cause fear of unlawful violence.
McKiver, of Ashworth Road, Lytham St Annes, also admitted to assault by beating for the push on Mr Etchells. Defending him, Avisha Gulhati told the court that he is a single dad to two children, aged three and nine, which she said "shows him as responsible person".
She said that the men had been going on a "well earned holiday" and became upset after finding out that they would not be allowed to travel. She described his behaviour as "passionate" rather than aggressive.
Martin, of Cavendish Road, Bispham, was defended by Dave Charnley. He told the court: "When somebody, who is looking forward to holiday, gives his passport to a stewardess to be told they’re not going, they’re not going to be pleased."
He said that it is "regrettable that Ms Grieves felt so intimidated" but stressed that there was no physical element from Martin. Ms Deakin accused both defence solicitors of "minimising" the incident, adding: "It wasn’t just minimal abuse and threats in Ms Grieves' mind. It was a very frightening, intimidating situation."
Chairman of the bench Rahila Akram ordered pre-sentence reports to be prepared for both men and adjourned the hearing until October 14, at Manchester Magistrates' Court, granting them unconditional bail in the meantime. She said: "All options will be considered, including being sent to Crown Court for sentencing."
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