An abusive passenger who forced a plane to turn around on the runway at Aberdeen airport has been warned he could be jailed.
Jason Harris had to be escorted off the British Airways flight and went on to assault two police officers at the departures gate of Aberdeen International Airport.
The dad-of-two’s unruly actions caused a 70-minute delay to the flight – for which the airline was fined £7,000, at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.
The offshore worker has now been banned from stepping foot in the terminal – a situation his solicitor said has caused “significant problems” for him.
Forced U-turn on runway
The initial disturbance on the BA1307 flight from Aberdeen to London Heathrow, on January 5 last year, saw Harris refuse to sit down during takeoff and then shout “don’t f****** tell me what to do” when a steward asked him to belt up.
Fiscal depute David Rogers said: “At this time the steward alerted the captain who, out of concern for the safety of the aircraft and its passengers, decided to return to the airport stand. Airport control was notified, who in return contacted airport police.”
When the plane parked up at Gate 5 of the Dyce terminal, two police officers boarded and asked Harris to leave – but he was “aggressive and argumentative” and refused.
“He loudly shouted that he was autistic, suffered from Asperger’s and that his father had recently passed away,” Mr Roger added.
“After negotiations, he agreed to stand and leave the plane however as he made his way he stopped in front of an officer, who tried to guide him forward, only to be told ‘don’t f****** touch me’.
“He was walked towards Gate 5 area in the departures lounge while police returned to the plane to obtain details of the incident.”
Delay cost airline £7,000
He continued to shout and scream at the gate and refused to calm down.
When police did return he tried to barge past them into the main lounge before trying to headbutt one officer and, after a struggle during which he threw himself to the ground, he kicked another in the leg.
Despite becoming “more physically compliant” the shouting and swearing continued in the airport.
British Airways was fined £100 for every minute the flight was delayed – totalling £7,000.
Defence agent Sian Grant confirmed Harris was on the autistic spectrum, had been diagnosed with Asperger’s and had been prescribed diazepam while offshore upon hearing of his father’s terminal cancer diagnosis.
Warned jail could be an option
“He sat in the wrong seat and that’s what unfortunately sparked this incident,” the solicitor added.
“He was banned from the airport after this, which caused significant problems for him. He was not able to work but has now secured employment as a rig supervisor which he starts next month.
“This incident is something he wishes to bring to an end today.”
Sheriff William Summers, however, rejected that plea for a fine, and warned the charges were so serious that a custodial sentence must be considered.
“He has behaved this way before,” the sheriff said. “It’s worse this time because he had done it on a plane and caused enormous inconvenience for those on the plane because it had to return to the stand.
“These offences are so serious I can not proceed to sentencing today. There’s a realistic possibility a custodial sentence will be imposed.”
He called for background reports and deferred sentence of Harris, of Bolney Road, Cowfold, West Sussex, for six weeks.
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