A man was recently arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and criminal damage, and threatening behavior after an inflight incident where passengers heard shouting and yelling. Authorities took the man into custody after the flight landed.
After passengers reported shouting and yelling the flight crew of a London-bound flight from Dubai was forced to deal with an unruly passenger. The 29-year-old man was aboard a recent Emirates flight when passengers on the flight overhead a disturbance involving yelling and shouting.
According to a report from the Manchester Daily News, local authorities from the Manchester Airport boarded the flight after it landed and removed the unruly passenger. After reaching an altitude of around 38,000 feet and approximately four hours into the long eight-hour flight, the Emirates flight crew intervened after it became apparent a fracas was underway.
The report offered a lengthy statement from a fellow passenger that praised the flight crew, noting:
“It was quite scary. The cabin crew were superb, they knew what to do. About four hours in I heard yelling and shouting going on. The chief flight attendant took charge. They kind of segregated the guy and put him on a seat on his own. The chief flight attendant told him she had the authority of the captain to say he had to remain in his seat.”They took the passengers who were in the row in front and behind and relocated them to other parts of the aircraft. But he kept standing up and verbally having a go. There was no announcement until we had landed and taxied to the stand. Then the whole plane was told to remain seated until the police came on and arrested the guy.”
Witness as reported in the Manchester Daily News
Later it was reported that the man was arrested on several charges including suspicion of sexual assault, criminal damage, drunk on board, threatening behavior, and affray.
Affray: “…an instance of fighting in a public place that disturbs the peace”
Google Dictionary
After being briefly held, the man was released from custody pending further investigation. Emirates offered an official statement as well to the Manchester Daily News noting:
“Upon arrival in Manchester, the passenger was met by police. The safety of our passengers and crew is of the highest priority and will not be compromised. The matter is now under police investigation. Emirates cannot comment further on the incident.”
Emirates Statement
The 29-year-old passenger was not publicly named.
