Drunk Ryanair passenger went on foul-mouthed rant that saw cops called to plane

30 October 2023 , 21:49

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Daniel Day refused to get off a plane and high-fived passengers before being forcibly removed (Image: Manchester Evening News)

A drunk businessman "high-fived" fellow plane passengers proclaiming he would not be "f***ing getting off" before being removed from the flight.

Daniel Day caused chaos on the Ryanair flight bound for Tenerife when he became angry and vocal after his friend had been removed due to being unwell. The 32-year-old then refused to leave himself when asked, with police called to the Manchester Airport runway to escort a "disruptive passenger" off the plane.

Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court heard six officers were called to the plane, which had stopped mid-taxi, on the afternoon of July 16 this year. Day was found standing in the middle of the aisle high-fiving the other passengers and holding onto the seats, before ultimately being restrained and removed.

Day, of Carlisle, Cumbria, was handed a suspended sentence after admitting an offence of being drunk on a plane, Manchester Evening News reports. Megan Edwards, prosecuting, told the court: “Cabin crew reported the defendant had been causing a disturbance on the plane.

“His friend was asked to leave the flight due to illness, and at this point the defendant became disruptive, vocal and angry that his friend was being removed from the flight.” Due to Day’s behaviour, the captain decided to have him removed also, but instead Day became ‘verbally aggressive’, telling both staff and passengers to ‘f*** off’.

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“He said he would not be ‘f***ing getting off’. As police officers approached him he was standing in the middle of the aisle,” Ms Edwards continued. “As officers approached him they told him he had to leave, and he initially complied but then began to high five the other passengers and holding on to the back of the seats.”

Day was then restrained by the officers before being removed. Officers could smell alcohol on his breath, the court heard. Niamh Ingham, for Day, said her client sustained a cut to his face and back whilst exiting the plane.

“He is a hard-working man who owns his own company, laying gas mains and electric mains,” she said. “The defendant is deeply sorry and remorseful and he wishes to assure he will never be before the court again."

Sentencing, Recorder Mark Ford KC: “You pleaded guilty to being drunk on an aircraft and as a result you had to be taken from that aircraft by the police.” Day was handed three months imprisonment which was suspended for two years, 150 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay £530 court costs.

Amy Walker