Drunk Scot grounded TUI Glasgow flight after mid-air havoc saw him spill booze on child

James Rae wreaked havoc on the TUI flight from Glasgow, to Antalya, Turkey, on Friday May 24 after he used "bad language" and was "derogatory" towards staff.

A drunken Scots air passenger spilled booze over a little girl, caused one flight to be grounded and another to be delayed by more than 17 hours.

James Rae wreaked havoc on the TUI flight from Glasgow to Antalya, Turkey, on Friday, May 24 after he used "bad language" and was "derogatory" towards staff.

He called one air steward a "g** boy" and told him he was only being picked on because he was straight. Newcastle Magistrates Court heard the 29-year-old was told to stop swearing by airline staff on the flight as there were children on board.

Rehana Haque, prosecuting, said Rae, who "smelt intoxicated" started drinking spirits he had bought in duty free while on the flight.

A statement from airline staff, which was read by the prosecutor, said: "The cabin manager explained to him that his behaviour was unacceptable."

It added that Rae was, "speaking in an aggressive manner towards us". The flight was diverted to Newcastle International Airport due to the passenger's behaviour.

The court heard Rae was "banging" his head against the seat in front of him and spilled alcohol over a little girl. He was arrested after the flight landed in Newcastle.

Rae's behaviour caused airport chaos after the flight was delayed by a total of five hours and 23 minutes. The return flight from Antalya was delayed by more than 17 hours.

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A statement from the captain of the flight read in court detailed how the ordeal was a "massive inconvenience to my airline".

He added: "The whole situation made me feel very annoyed."

Rae, of West Bridge Street, Falkirk, pleaded guilty to entering aircraft when drunk/be drunk in aircraft. Janice Hall, defending, told the court Rae is of "previous good character".

The magistrates transferred the case to Newcastle Crown Court, where Rae will appear on November 6. Chair of the bench Steven Johnson told him: "This is beyond our sentencing powers."

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