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British tourists arrested for gay jibes
Flight grounded
Passenger jet makes an emergency landing after gay jibes are made at crew
"Three British men were ordered off the flight and arrested upon emergency landing in Bermuda"
An aeroplane full of holidaymakers was forced to make an emergency landing when drunken passengers began smoking and shouting gay abuse at members of the cabin crew.
The incident occurred aboard a flight from Manchester to the Dominican Republic. Three British men were ordered off the flight and arrested upon emergency landing in Bermuda.
The men were questioned about the ordeal and held in police cells. One, Grant Smith has since been charged with interfering with the performance of a crew member contrary to the Air Navigation Order 2005.
Smith, of Burnley, Lancs, who flew back to England after police released him from poluice custody in Bermuda, was met and arrested by police at Gatwick airport on suspicion of endangering an aircraft. He was questioned about possible homophobic public order offences, affray and smoking on board the plane
He has since been released on police bail and is due to face the charge at Crawley Magistrates on 16th January.
He is expected to serve time in prison for the fracas. Chief Inspector Ed Henriet, of Sussex police, said:
“People who endanger aircraft in this manner can expect to receive custodial sentences.”
One of the two other men arrested is expected to land at Gatwick today after being deported following his release without charge.
The diversion and emergency landing of Flight TOM 133 caused a four hour delay for other passengers on the flight.
