Drunk Passenger Causes Chaos on Heathrow Flight, Shouting 'I Want to Fight You' at Cabin Crew
A disruptive passenger caused significant disturbance on a flight from Heathrow Airport to Delhi, India, after consuming excessive alcohol and medication prior to boarding. Yogeshwar Sharma, aged 50, admitted to multiple charges including entering an aircraft while drunk and assaulting a paramedic.
Incident Details and Court Proceedings
Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court heard that police were called to the outbound flight after staff reported a drunk and abusive male on the aircraft. Prosecutor Kate Fassam-Wright detailed how Sharma became abusive to cabin crew when informed he was too intoxicated to fly, shouting explicit language and declaring, "I want to fight you."
Sharma refused to leave the plane, proceeding to take out a lighter and vape despite smoking being prohibited. After being escorted off the aircraft, his behavior escalated further as he attempted to spit at officers and lunged at a paramedic with a clenched fist, making contact with their chin.
Background and Defendant's Response
The court was informed that Sharma had purchased a litre of vodka and taken two doses of a prescribed medication before boarding the flight. Remarkably, Sharma stated he has no memory of the incident and expressed being "disgusted by his behaviour."
Sharma, residing at Lansdowne Road in Ilford, pleaded guilty to the following offences committed on November 25 of the previous year:
- Entering an aircraft while drunk
- Using threatening behaviour
- Common assault of a paramedic
- Smoking on a plane
Legal Outcome and Sentencing
Magistrate Manbhinder Rana acknowledged Sharma's guilty plea to all four offences but postponed sentencing to gather more information about his personal circumstances. Sharma was released on unconditional bail and is scheduled to be sentenced at the same court on March 4.
This case highlights the serious consequences of disruptive behavior on flights, emphasizing the importance of passenger safety and adherence to aviation regulations.
