Rahees Iqbal faces jail after drunken abuse of flight passengers and crew
A drunk plane passenger who terrorised passengers and crew on a flight from Dubai is facing a jail term.
Rahees Iqbal, 19, caused flight terror through his abusive and aggressive behaviour after knocking back vodka and miniature bottles of Baileys on an Emirates flight, a court heard.
The teenager from Walsall had to be handcuffed by police when the airplane touched down at Birmingham Airport.
John Dove, prosecuting, said that when Rahees was taken to the back of the aircraft following his drunken antics on the plane, he proceeded to shout loudly for the remainder of the flight, continuing to bang his head regularly on the seat head rest and also punched out at the TV screen.
Mr Dove added that Rahees was abusive to the officers who boarded the plane to apprehend him and struggled as they attempted to restrain him. When he was finally handcuffed and taken to the police van, he proceeded to head-butt the cell.
Mohammed Fiaz, defending, said Rahees was returning to the country following a five week holiday in Pakistan.
He said: “He was suffering from a migraine, was taking tablets and was dehydrated. He is not normally used to alcohol.
“He is a social drinker. He wants to apologise to all the people involved.”
Rahees, of Lincoln Road, Chuckery, pleaded guilty to a number of charges, including being drunk on an aircraft, using threatening words and behaviour as well as resisting arrest.
District Judge Ian Strongman said that sentencing guidelines indicated a six month sentence for Rahees.
The case has been adjourned until May 28 in order for reports to be prepared.
