TUI cabin crew blasted by judge for allowing drunken twin sisters on board flight

Katie and Laura Butterworth, both 34, should have been refused entry to the flight to Spain's Canary Islands after they arrived intoxicated - only to start a fight just before take-off

A senior judge slammed TUI cabin crew earlier today for allowing a pair of drunken sisters to a board a holiday jet - only for the boozy pair to start a bust up on the plane just moments before take off.

Judge Patrick Field KC said 34-year-old university graduates Katie and Laura Butterworth should have been refused entry at the terminal gate after both were seen "staggering and slurring their words" when getting on board. But a court heard the pair were treated as "a manageable problem" by staff and despite their intoxicated condition, were allowed to take their seats as the flight prepared to take off to Fuerteventura on the Canary Islands.

As the plane was taxi-ing on the runway at Manchester airport, the two women began a drunken argument after one of their bags fell out of overhead cabin spilling the contents along the aisle. When told to calm down, Laura called another passenger 'vile' and was said to be "completely incoherent" and "volatile" with staff before being moved, when she vomited on the aircraft.

Meanwhile, mother of three Katie who runs a printing company with her husband kept jumping out of her seat to remonstrate with staff whilst other passengers had their seatbelts on. Flight TOM 2662 eventually turned back to the terminal without taking off and the two sisters, both of Bredbury, Stockport were arrested. Take-off was delayed by an hour.

At Manchester Crown Court Judge Patrick Field KC said: "Staff knew both of these passengers were drunk before the plane embarked on its journey. A statement says cabin crew told one stewardess the defendants were intoxicated due to them staggering around and slurring their words. But it doesn't say whether any action was taken at all.

"Does history relate why these women were not removed from the flight immediately and arrested - as indeed would have been inappropriate? It would have been the right thing to do. Had an incident occurred in the air, and the cabin crew were found to have done nothing about removed these people, one can only imagine where the inquiries would have led."

He told the two women: "Some people think it's acceptable to get on an aircraft after drinking to excess and then to inflict their unpleasant entitled and obnoxious bad behaviour upon fellow passengers and air crew - well it isn't. You are intelligent and well-educated women who both should have known better than to behave in the way that you did. You were plainly very drunk when you boarded the aircraft and you were reckless and, thoughtless for the safety, convenience and happiness of your fellow passengers.

"You described another passenger's behaviour as 'vile' but that epithet was perhaps more apposite to describe your own behaviour. The aircraft was still on the ground well before it became airborne and was able return to the terminal so you could be removed. However the risk is always there when people are drink and misbehaving in a confined space.

"Cabin crew were aware both of you were drunk before the aircraft door was closed. Why you were not arrested at that stage is not I'm afraid adequately explained." Earlier the court heard the incident took place on June 1 this year after the twins booked a holiday to the Canaries to celebrate Katie agreeing a management plan to settle long standing debts she had accrued.

Adam White prosecuting said: "As the plane was taxi-ing a bag belonging to one of the defendants fell into the aisle and the contents spilled onto the floor. It seemed to trigger an argument between the two sisters who were sat in front of each other. Laura then began being abusive towards another female passengers calling her 'vile' and was moved to another part of the plane. She was described as clearly intoxicated and completely incoherent and volatile towards crew members. She then began vomiting on the plane.

"Katie decided to leave her seat and became argumentative towards cabin crew, saying she had not done anything wrong. She was told to sit down but was constantly up and down out of her seat whilst the plane was taxi-ing. As a result of the defendants' behaviour the crew decided to turn back the plane without it taking off and police were waiting to arrest them at the terminal."

Mr White said there was no explanation for the two women being allowed on the flight when drunk, other that stewardess Jane Wheatley believing they were a "manageable problem." When detained, Katie who had consumed two glasses of wine ahead of take off said: 'I just got blanketed with Laura. They treated us as the same person and I'm getting the equal blame when what I did was not the same."

Laura gave no reply to officers. The court heard Katie who has a degree in accountancy had a previous conviction last year for being drunk and disorderly at a pub in Manchester city centre.

Her counsel Miss Sarah Hussell said: "Katie was not intoxicated, It is accepted she had two glasses of wine before boarding but she was cooperative with police and was steady on her feet. She had been looking forward to a holiday with her sister after a stressful period in her life in which she home-schooling her eight year old child whilst running a business. She had also agreed a payment plan with debts for a loan and the holiday represented an inexpensive week in the sun which did not go to plan. It got off to a bad start and did not continue."

For Laura, who has a psychology degree, Miss Naomi Duckworth said her client was pursing a career in the fire service and added: "She has expressed her deep remorse and embarrassment for her actions. It was a mistake which was out of character for her." Both women were given 12 month community orders and were each ordered to pay £90 costs. Katie who admitted a charge of intentionally interfering with performance of aircraft crew member's duty was also ordered to complete 60 hours unpaid work and 15 rehabilitation requirement days whilst Laura who admitted being drunk on an aircraft was ordered to undertake 120 hours unpaid work.

The Mirror has contacted TUI for comment.