Man Who Caused Drunken Plane Disturbance Could Be Fined Price Of Ten Plane Tickets

A man who caused a drunken disturbance on a plane could be fined up to 10 times the typical ticket price for the flight.

Gareth Sloan refused to sit in his seat when ordered to do so by the captain and also threatened a member of the aircraft's staff with violence.

The 35-year-old was also drunk while on board the Wideroe-operated Stavanger to Aberdeen flight - an offence under Air Navigation Order legislation.

His case called at Aberdeen Sheriff Court today (WED), where he pleaded guilty by letter.

Sloan, from Edinburgh, now faces a maximum fine of up to 2,500 pounds under current legislation for his behaviour.

A typical one way flight from Stavanger to Aberdeen costs between 100 and 250 pounds with Nordic airline Wideroe.

He admitted being drunk on board the Nordic airline's plane on March 26 this year.

He also pleaded guilty to failing to obey the orders of the aircraft's commander and threatening and abusive behaviour towards a staff member, named in court papers as Jens Jonsson (ALLCORR).

His co-accused Robert McShane, 31, from Greenock, also pleaded guilty to being drunk on board the same flight.

Both men had their sentences deferred until later this month for them to appear at the court in person.