Kieron Jordan, 36, was already drunk when he boarded the Turkey-bound flight from Leeds Bradford Airport on 20 May, 2022. 

Leeds Crown Court heard how cabin crew were forced to call the police after he caused disruption on the flight. At one point, Jordan marched down the aisle to demand a refund over a delay to the flight. 

When police boarded the plane, officers discovered Jordan slumped in his seat wearing sunglasses as he tried to fake being sleep, The Mirror reports. 

Prosecutor Lydia Carroll, The Mirror reports, said Jordan was slurring his words and kept saying he didn’t understand when the officers told him to get up. 

The Mirror further reports Jordan later denied endangering an aircraft but admitted to being drunk on an aircraft. Jordan also confessed to other offences, including racially-aggravated actual bodily harm following an incident in a pub on 9 July 2022. 

Judge Anesh Pema sentenced Jordan to a total of 27 months in prison – two months for the aircraft incident, five for the pub assault and 20 months for an incident of affray in a shop. 

He said: “You were drunk on that plane and causing trouble. You were verbally abusive and officers had to board the plane. You were found slumped in your seat, drunk. You were not cooperative and clearly intoxicated. Your behaviour was reprehensible.” 

James Holding, defending, said: “As with many who come before the courts, the main causes were his drink and drug problems.”