Drunk passenger 'restrained' as he forces plane into emergency landing

A drunk passenger was the reason behind a major airline's flight diversion to Newcastle International Airport, a court has heard.

Needing to be restrained by fellow passengers, Newcastle Crown Court was told how Roman Pawlicki, 68, forced the flight from Krakow in southern Poland to abandon landing at its intended destination of Edinburgh.

The flight, which occurred on April 5th of this year, was disrupted by Pawlicki who in a 'highly intoxicated state' grabbed the arm of a flight attendant mid-flight.

Katie  Spence, prosecuting, told the court the intoxicated Pawlicki needed to be 'restrained by passengers' during the mid-air incident.

During mitigation, the court was told that Pawlicki was remorseful and accepted full responsibility for his actions.

The Polish pensioner, who resides in the Niddrie Mill area of the Scottish capital, pleaded guilty to the charge of being drunk on an aircraft.

Judge Carolyn Scott sentenced Pawlicki to six months in prison, suspending for 18 months.

Delivering the reasoning behind her verdict, Judge Scott said that despite consuming a 'substantial' amount of alcohol in Krakow Airport prior to departure, that Pawlicki continued to drink on the flight itself.

Judge Scott went on to conclude; 'You were highly intoxicated. You had to be restrained by passengers and grabbed the arm of one of the flight attendants.

'You behaviour was of a concern that the flight had to be diverted to Newcastle airport causing distress and inconvenience to all those on board'.