A Jet2 passenger who terrorised cabin crew with disgusting threats and alarmed fellow holidaymakers on a flight to Turkey has been sentenced to prison. Bradford Crown Court was informed on Thursday that two hours into the night flight returning to Leeds Bradford Airport last summer, an argument broke out between Jason Roddis and his partner, which drew the attention of the cabin crew.
Prosecutor Ben Sayers stated that the 37 year old from Bradford was being loud and using foul language, and it was discovered he had been consuming alcohol from a wine bottle he had brought onto the plane. Despite having the nearly empty bottle confiscated, Roddis continued his disruptive behaviour.
After another passenger lodged a complaint, Roddis was found to be drinking from a second wine bottle, which was also seized. The court heard that when a third crew member attempted to issue Roddis a « disruption notice’ but the foul-mouthed defendant ripped it up and threw it back.The court said Roddis, of Vignola Terrace, told a crew member he would « smash her face in » and told her colleague: ”I’ll smash your head in ».
The pilot contemplated diverting the plane to remove Roddis, but as they were only 30 minutes away, they proceeded to Leeds Bradford Airport where police were ready to apprehend him. « The defendant’s behaviour lasted for over an hour, » Mr Sayers added, reports Examiner Live.
Roddis was heavily intoxicated and unsteady on his feet at the time of his arrest, during which he racially abused an officer and caused damage to a police van. Barrister Rebecca Young explained that her client had been in Turkey caring for his mother following her hip replacement surgery.
She noted that Roddis, who suffers from severe anxiety and depression, had been unable to access his medication while abroad, leading to a deterioration in his mental health and alcohol consumption on the plane. With 42 previous convictions for 89 offences, Roddis pleaded guilty to being drunk on an aircraft, two counts of common assault against cabin crew, racially aggravated harassment, and criminal damage.
Recorder Patrick Palmer sentenced him to 14 months in prison for these offences, adding an additional four months after Roddis admitted to stealing a woman’s handbag from a parked car in Bradford last December. The judge emphasised the severity of Roddis’ actions on the plane, noting the fear he instilled in both the staff and passengers.
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