Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info. A businessman found himself in hot water after going on a drunken tirade aboard a Jet2 flight destined for Turkey. As the plane was taxiing towards the runway at Manchester Airport, his belligerent actions forced the aircraft to turn back to Terminal 1 amidst cries from police who were alerted to Lewis Howarth's disagreeable antics.
When officers boarded the aircraft, they learned from the cabin crew that Howarth was not only 'highly intoxicated' but also hurling expletives at fellow passengers. During the hearing on 23 January, prosecutor Saul Brody recounted how Howarth seemed initially cooperative as the police approached, but as they escorted him off the plane, he became combative, attempting to strike out at them. The court was presented with bodycam footage where Howarth could be seen and heard unleashing a torrent of abuse even after being restrained and removed from the plane.
The crowd inside cheered and applauded, some capturing the moment on their phones, reports the Manchester Evening News. 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. Do you [really think] I'm not going to go on holiday?
Staff from Jet2 then brought a wheelchair over to be used to escort Howarth. As he was being lifted into it he tried to bite one officer and kicked out at another. He was arrested, and was later shown the footage. He admitted he had drunk half a bottle of whisky before the flight, Mr Brody said.
Howarth was said to have previous convictions for being drunk and disorderly, affray, racially aggravated harassment, assaulting a police officer and failing to comply with court orders. 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.
