A drunk dad assaulted his partner in front of his young daughter during a flight home from a family holiday. Kevin Chapman, who had been downing vodka on an overnight flight from Crete to Newcastle, got into an argument with his girlfriend.
The 36-year-old suddenly attacked and hit the victim in the face, all witnessed by an off-duty police officer who was also travelling on the TUI flight. The cabin crew had to intervene, separating the couple and moving the woman for her safety, according to prosecutors, reports Chronicle Live.
Initially, there were discussions about diverting the plane due to Chapman's behaviour, but it eventually landed as scheduled at Newcastle International Airport. Upon landing, Chapman, from Hylton Road, Pennywell, Sunderland, was arrested and pleaded guilty to being drunk on an aircraft and assault by beating when he appeared in court the following day.
He returned to Newcastle Magistrates' Court this week for sentencing, narrowly avoiding a prison term. District Judge Paul Currer handed him a four-month suspended sentence, stating: "What is clear from the evidence I have heard is that your behaviour on that flight was completely appalling.
"You decided to start drinking and you were drinking heavily. You were drinking from a bottle of duty free vodka, provided to you by aircraft staff, and from a bottle you bought previously from duty free."
"You were drunk, loud and abusive and caused distress for other members of the flight. That would have been a very frightening experience for them."
The court was told that Chapman and his family had been travelling on an overnight flight from Crete to Newcastle on June 11 this year when he was seen consuming alcohol heavily by an off-duty police officer at approximately 3am.
Glenda Beck, prosecuting, said: "He showed signs of intoxication.
"The officer asked a member of cabin crew to intervene as the noise levels were high. The defendant was warned about his behaviour. The female [his partner] was sat next to the defendant and was trying stop him shouting and getting him to sit down."
The court was told Chapman then struck out and punched the woman in the face before carrying on shouting at her.
The couple were separated, with the victim being moved to a different seat, and they received warnings that the aircraft could be diverted, however, a decision was ultimately taken to land the plane as scheduled.
Officers were present at the airport when Chapman disembarked and he was taken into custody. During questioning, he acknowledged being intoxicated on the flight but denied attacking his girlfriend.
Rebecca Highton, defending, said Chapman battled with significant mental health problems and does not typically drink but chose to on the evening in question due to a "fear of flying".
Ms Highton said: "He's got little recollection of the incident and he's horrified with himself that he has struck his partner in some way. She isn't supportive of the prosecution and is supportive of Mr Chapman and they remain in a relationship."
Chapman was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £154 victim surcharge alongside the suspended sentence.