Footage has captured the moment Ryanair passengers erupted into cheers when a drunken man was arrested after he head-butted an air steward on a flight to Manchester.
Daniel Hendry, 24, was onboard a flight to the UK from Tenerife when he told staff: ‘F*** off, I’m going to punch you, going to smash your head in’ after refusing to wear a mask.
Hendry, who had drunk three-quarters of a bottle of vodka, then headbutted a member of staff before ‘stroking’ a women’s arm and attempting to hug her, a court heard.
Air traffic controllers were called in an attempt to divert the flight amid Hendry’s disruption, but the captain was unable to do so as many airports are closed amid the Covid-19 crisis.
Instead, the aircraft was ‘accelerated’ and arrived 25 minutes early, the Manchester Evening News reported.
Daniel Hendry, 24, was onboard a flight to the UK from Tenerife when he told staff: ‘F*** off, I’m going to punch you, going to smash your head in’ after refusing to wear a mask. Pictured: The scene
Hendry was arrested on arrival in Manchester and pleaded guilty to entering an aircraft when drunk, criminal damage and assault at Manchester Magistrates Court.
Footage captured by another passenger shows the mid-flight chaos, before a second clip shows Hendry being escorted from the flight by police officers.
As he leaves the aircraft with his hands in the air, other passengers on board the flight begin to clap and cheer.
The court was told how Hendry began his drunken tirade around one hour into the flight on January 29.
Prosecutor Janice Vallancee said Hendry had repeatedly refused to wear a mask at the request of staff, before he became aggressive towards one of the cabin crew.
It was later confirmed he had consumed three-quarters of a bottle of Smirnoff Vodka.
Hendry, who had drunk three-quarters of a bottle of vodka, then headbutted a member of staff before ‘stroking’ a women’s arm and attempting to hug her, Manchester Magistrates Court heard
Footage captured by another passenger shows the mid-flight chaos, before a second clip (pictured) shows Hendry being escorted from the flight by police officers
‘He became aggressive with one of the cabin crew, Samuel Proietti, who was unable to hear some of the comments he was making due to his strong accent,’ she said.
‘He then headbutted Mr Proiretti, not making full contact though as he moved his head out of the way but Hendry connected with the right side of his face, but caused no visible injury.’
The court heard how the plane’s captain had discussed with air traffic controllers whether to divert the flight, but he was unable to do so due to airport closures.
Instead he ‘reluctantly’ continued with the flight but ‘deliberately accelerated the plane to Manchester Airport, arriving 25 minutes ahead of schedule at the airport.’
As he leaves the aircraft with his hands in the air, other passengers on board the flight begin to clap and cheer
Hendry, who had lived in Tenerife and was travelling to stay with his girlfriend in Liverpool, was arrested on arrival in Manchester.
He caused damage to the police van by banging his head against the door and windows, the court heard.
Defending, Rebecca Wrack said he ‘fully accepts the prosecution case and doesn’t seek to undermine what has been said.’
Hendry, who will now have to quarantine for two weeks, will appear at Minshull Street Crown Court next month.