15 February 2024 , 10:52
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A drunk mum caused such chaos on a TUI flight from Spain to Manchester after she became aggressive with cabin crew that she almost forced the pilot to divert the plane.
Kesley Hughes, 32, was asked to end a FaceTime call during the safety demonstration before calling the demand 'f***ing ridiculous' and shouting 'sausage' at a steward. The court heard that the pilot gave his crew permission to use restraint on Hughes but this was not used.
Manchester Crown Court heard she admitted to using threatening words and behaviour, disobeying the pilot's command, and boarding an aircraft when drunk, and left court with a suspended jail sentence. Hughes had been travelling back to Manchester from Spain with her partner on October 22nd when the disturbance happened.
When asked to fasten her seatbelt, she said: "I can't fasten it, I'm fat." As the flight prepared for take-off, Hughes started causing a commotion which distressed other passengers. She was drinking prosecco and smoking her vape on the flight, when she was given a 'notice of action' which she ignored. After landing in Manchester, Hughes insulted the steward before being escorted off by the police.
The upset air steward said: "I have been doing my job for many years and this incident has been the worst situation I have ever dealt with. I felt intimidated and threatened." The court heard she had several previous convictions including battery and assault of an emergency worker.
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Defending Oliver Saddington said: "She is under no illusion that people in her position can expect to receive a custodial sentence. I am asking the court to make an exceptional consideration for her case." Hughes' family arranged a holiday for her as she was battling depression and forgot to take her medication along.
Judge Stephen Davies told Hughes: "You ignored the pilot's instructions about using your phone and fastening your seatbelt. You engaged in a campaign of insulting words and behaviour against the member of staff who you believed was gay. Your behaviour was so bad that the aircraft staff considered either diverting the flight or using restraints on you. Fortunately - for everybody - that course of conduct was not carried out as the flight arrived safely."
Hughes, from Minver Crescent in Nottingham, got a four-month sentence, suspended for a year. She must do 60 hours of unpaid work, spend 20 days in rehab activities, and join a 90-day programme to help with her drinking.