07 March 2024 , 13:02
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A abusive passenger on a flight from Tenerife told a member of the cabin crew she "wouldn't even have a job with Aldi " by the time he finished with her, during a row over vaping.
Michael Pearson, 37, was flying back from the Spanish island to Newcastle on the Jet2 plane in November last year when he was reported to staff for using an electric cigarette. Senior cabin crew Laura Hindmarsh dealt with the complaints and when she asked Pearson, a salesman, to stop vaping, he became "intimidating and abusive" towards her. He ignored her requests and was arrested when they landed.
Prosecutor Ruth Foster told Newcastle Magistrates’ Court: "The defendant was on a Jet2 flight coming back from Tenerife to Newcastle. A senior cabin crew member on the flight had a number of complaints from the passengers about vaping during the flight.
"She spoke to him about it and he stated he had not been vaping. She challenged Pearson about using the vape following complaints by others on board to which he denied."
He told her: "I've not been f****** vaping." Ms Hindmarsh informed Pearson she would need to tell the captain of the flight to call the police. He responded by saying: "By the time I've finished with you, you won't get a job with Aldi."
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Pearson was aboard a Jet2 flight (Bloomberg via Getty Images)The court heard the victim's account was confirmed by another passenger who stated she was "nothing but polite" and described Pearson's behaviour as intimidating.
In an impact statement, the crew member said: "I would like to say I do not come to work to be abused or threatened. I would say I'm a strong person but this incident has upset me. It was personal towards me."
Pearson pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening, abusive, insulting or disorderly manner towards a senior cabin crew member on an aircraft. Dave Parish, defending, told the court: "He's a man who is deeply remorseful, deeply ashamed and deeply apologetic for his actions.
"He foolishly took the vape on the plane. What he should have done was admit using the vape and get a stern telling off but instead of doing that he lost his temper.
"He asks me on his behalf to apologise profusely both to members of the cabin staff and other passengers who witnessed it. He hasn't been convicted of any offence before the court since 2018. He has full-time employment in sales earning £250 a week. He is deeply, deeply apologetic and extremely remorseful for his behaviour."
Chair of the Bench Steven Johnson imposed a fine of £291 plus costs. He must also pay £100 compensation to his victim. Mr Johnson told him: "We took this extremely seriously. Your actions in that close space must have terrified people.”