A drunk airline passenger was spared prison when he appeared before a judge for sentence at Hove Crown Court.
Harrison Tilson, also known as Harry Tilson, 33, abused passengers and staff on board a flight back to Britain from Spain
Tilson, a financial worker, of Maritime House, Old Town, Clapham, in south London, was on his way home from an ironman contest in Majorca in May last year.
He drank champagne before boarding the British Airways flight from Palma to Gatwick and then drank red wine on board, Sussex Police said.
The force said: “As he became intoxicated, he spilt alcohol on a fellow passenger. Throughout the flight, he refused to comply with instructions given by cabin crew.
“Eventually, he assaulted one cabin crew member when he was threatening to strike a fellow passenger who described his behaviour as a ‘disgrace’.”
In court on Friday 18 October, Judge Christine Henson ordered Tilson to pay £1,800 in compensation to Kulvinder Johal, a member of the BA cabin crew.
Sussex Police said that it was releasing details of Tilson’s conviction to highlight his unacceptable behaviour and to remind people of the law on alcohol intoxication aboard aircraft.
Tilson was sentenced for assault by beating and for being drunk on board an aircraft contrary to the Air Navigation Order. He was found guilty after a trial at Crawley Magistrates’ Court.
Sussex Police said: “The court was told how the incident happened on Monday 15 May 2023. Tilson had attended a triathlon event on the island of Majorca.
“Tilson consumed three glasses of champagne in the airport lounge prior to boarding. He later consumed a further three glasses of red wine on board.
“His behaviour from the outset was rude and abusive, swearing at fellow passengers and crew.
“When the aircraft landed, he ignored the instruction to stay seated and went to the toilet while the plane was taxiing to the terminal.
“He confronted a passenger on board and, as he motioned to strike the passenger, he struck a cabin crew worker who tried to intervene.
“The cabin crew worker had to take a significant period off work to recover.”
PC Sam Fee, from Gatwick CID, said: “It is an offence to get on board an aircraft while drunk.
“This case demonstrates the impact alcohol can have on your body. The impact increases when you are in the air, flying at a higher altitude and with a reduced air pressure.
“Tilson’s behaviour was appalling. No cabin crew worker should have to accept being abused and assaulted as simply part of the job.
“That is why we are determined to pursue prosecutions against those who break the law on board aircraft.
“For Tilson, this has proved to be an expensive case. It should act as a warning to all passengers about the risks of consuming alcohol before boarding a flight or while on board.”
Judge Henson imposed a two-year community sentence, ordering Tilson to complete 250 hours of unpaid work and 10 rehab sessions.
As well as making the £1,800 compensation order, the judge ordered Tilson to pay £1,500 towards the cost of the prosecution.
