A holidaymaker who boarded an easyJet flight drunk tried to flee security after abusing staff.
Joshua Stone, 32, and his friend Ryan Sanders, 34, were on a flight set to depart for Crete on the evening of Tuesday, July 11 when they started verbally abusing staff.
Despite being warned about their behaviour, the pair continued to abuse cabin crew and were escorted from the plane at Bristol Airport.
Stone then began to make off from security towards another stand but was arrested shortly after.
Joshua Stone and Ryan Sanders have been jailed
Avon and Somerset Police/Getty
During a police interview Sanders claimed he had consumed cider, lager and a Malibu and coke, but denied he was drunk.
Both men were subsequently charged with entering an aircraft drunk, with Stone also being charged with entering a security restricted area of an aerodrome without permission for his brief attempt to get away from security.
Sergeant Rachael Hodges said: “The last thing we want to do is to stop people who want to have a good time and relax before going on holiday.
“These two men’s drunken and obnoxious behaviour saw them be abusive to cabin crew and led to concerns they could represent a security risk had the flight taken off."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
The pair were kicked off the easyjet flight (file pic)
Getty
Sgt Hodges added: "Their actions were selfish and inexcusable and make life a misery for other passengers, whose flight to Chania was ultimately delayed.
"Being drunk on an aircraft is a serious offence for which both men have been jailed and have received a criminal record."
Both men pleaded guilty to the charges. Sanders, of Southmead Road in Filton, was jailed for 14 weeks. Stone, of Greystoke Avenue in Southmead, received a 25-week sentence.
The pair were also ordered at Bristol Crown Court on Monday, March 4 to pay a victim surcharge of £154.
It is a criminal offence to be drunk on an aircraft. It is also prohibited to drink any of your own alcohol, including any Duty Free bottles, that you've brought on to the flight.
Offenders can receive a maximum sentence of two years' imprisonment according to the Civil Aviation Authority, or fines up to £80,000.
Airlines can also refuse to allow passengers on board if they believe they pose a risk to the plane, with that including being drunk.
