Drunk man flying to Edinburgh 'restrained by passengers' as plane forced to divert

Roman Pawlicki, 68, was flying from Poland when the incident occurred on April 5, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

A drunk passenger on a flight to Edinburgh caused it to be diverted after he was restrained by passengers.

Roman Pawlicki, 68, was flying from Poland when the incident occurred on April 5, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

It was claimed Pawlicki also grabbed the arm of a flight attendant during the incident before the plane it was diverted to Newcastle International Airport.

Katie Spence, prosecuting, told the court the defendant was "highly intoxicated" and had to be "restrained by passengers", reports Chronicle Live.

She said: "The offence took place on April 5, 2024 when a plane travelling from Krakow to Edinburgh had to be diverted to Newcastle following the behaviour of the defendant. He was highly intoxicated and had to be restrained by passengers and grabbed the arm of one of the flight attendants.

"His behaviour was so concerning the flight had to be diverted to Newcastle. Officers attended and he was arrested."

In mitigation, the court heard Pawlicki, of Niddrie Mill, Edinburgh, accepted full responsibility for his actions. Pawlicki pleaded guilty to being drunk on an aircraft. He was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for 18 months.

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On sentencing, Judge Carolyn Scott said the defendant had drank a "substantial" amount in the airport and continued to drink on the plane.

She added: "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."

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