A man whose behaviour on board a tiny plane prompted a pilot to divert back to Aberdeen has been fined.
Jamie Aitken, 37, was on a Wick-bound plane when he started arguing with a flight attendant after she told him to sit down as they prepared for take-off.
Aitken told her it was against his “human rights” to be kept in his seat.
Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard he told flight attendant Sara Thomson that he had been waiting on the tarmac for 45 minutes, and that he needed the toilet.
Fiscal depute Kelly Mitchell said: “However, other passengers had indicated that the plane had been on the runway for about five to 10 minutes.”
Once the flight had taken off he continued to shout at Ms Thomson and took off his seatbelt before it was safe to do so.
Miss Mitchell said he continued to raise his voice at Ms Thomson, who was working alone on the small aircraft.
She added: “She walked away and reported the matter to the captain.”
The fiscal said the pilot decided to return to Aberdeen and police were contacted.
Aitken pleaded guilty yesterday. The court heard there had been 11 other passengers on the plane, and that, due to his behaviour on November 22 last year, the Eastern Airways flight was delayed by two-and-a-half hours.
Defence lawyer Stuart Murray said his client insisted the plane had been on the ground for longer than other passengers had indicated. He said: “He claims he had been waiting 45 minutes.”
Aitken, of Girnigoe Street, Wick, was fined £750.
