The offence of being drunk on board an aircraft can include allegations that the behaviour was the cause of fear in other passengers, without the offence being charged as endangering the aircraft. The offence carried a heavy maximum penalty precisely because these consequences of terror and insecurity in the minds of fellow passengers naturally followed from such behaviour. The offence in this case was persistent and flagrant and the sentence of eight months imprisonment was appropriate.
Citations:
Times 20-Oct-2000
Statutes:
Air Navigation (No 2) Order 1995 (1995 No 1970), Civil Aviation Act 1982 60 61
Criminal Sentencing, Transport
Updated: 09 April 2022; Ref: scu.85120