This is the moment a drunk passenger was dragged off a after downing half a bottle of whisky causing the holiday jet to turn round on the runway.
Lewis Howarth found himself in hot water after going on a drunken tirade on August 29 last year when the father of two boarded Flight LS921 after drinking heavily in the departure lounge.
The 36-year-old called one female steward a “d**khead” when asked to fasten his seatbelt before abusing two police officers who boarded the jet and then kicked one in the face.
When officers boarded the aircraft, they learned from the cabin crew that Howarth was not only “highly intoxicated” but also swearing at fellow passengers.
He initially appeared cooperative when approached by the force, but his behaviour quickly changed as officers tried to escort him off the flight and attempted to strike out at them.
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Lewis Howarth was dragged off a Jet2 flight to Turkey (Image: Crown Prosecution Service )
During the hearing on January 23, prosecutor Saul Brody said: “He started to resist and tried to fight or assault those escorting him.
“He was taken to the floor and handcuffed, and was described as thrashing his head towards the passengers and officers.”
The court was presented with bodycam footage where Howarth could be seen and heard unleashing a torrent of abuse even after being restrained. Passengers applauded when he was removed from the plane, some capturing the moment on their phones, reports .
The fight was due to take off at 4.15pm but was delayed until about 5.45pm due to the defendant being extremely intoxicated.
In a particularly telling moment, one of the officers remarked to Howarth, “You were bang out of order, there were so many kids on there.”
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In response Howarth said: “My kids are there… you are f****** wrong. Nah f*** off you little rats. Do you [really think] I’m not going to go on holiday?”
“No you’re not,” the officer replied. When Howarth was told he was being arrested for being drunk on a plane, he began laughing and said: “No I’m not, you little rat, you f****** d***heads, rat b******s.”
His barrister, William Staunton, said Howarth was travelling with his family and his friend’s family, when his pal peer pressured him into having a drink because he was nervous of flying.
“He had the hangover of all hangovers,” Mr Staunton added. “He is profoundly ashamed and deeply remorseful. He wants to say sorry and this won’t happen again.”
Howarth had previous convictions for assault on police and drug driving.
Jailing Howarth, of Mobberley Road, Bolton, for 14 weeks, Recorder Geoffrey Wells said: “This behaviour was shocking. There is no excuse for being drunk when you go on an airplane. Your children saw you behaving like that. What kind of example is that? Wholly disgraceful.”