Harrogate man jailed after drunken fight on plane at Leeds Bradford Airport
44 year old Nathan Cooper bit and punched police officers who were trying to apprehend him
A Harrogate man has been jailed for 15 months after drunken brawl on a plane taking off from Leeds Bradford Airport.
44 year old Nathan Cooper, of Dene Park, admitted to affray and being drunk in an aircraft following the incident on July 24 last year.
Cooper started a fight with another passenger in the rear gallery of the plane and later attacked the plane's crew and other passengers.
The fight to Chania in Crete was on the runway taxiway at the time.
Cooper punched and bit police officers who attempted to apprehend him, with an empty vodka bottle later being found at his seat.
We was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court on Wednesday.
Inspector Kevin Lowther, of West Yorkshire Police, said: “There may have been a heatwave in the UK this week, but we know lots of people will have holidays planned to usually hotter climes in the coming months.
“Sadly, a few people’s selfish actions have the power to derail the travel plans of every other passenger on their flight. Cabin staff should also not have to deal with such threatening and frightening behaviour in their workplace.
“We need people to take some personal responsibility and think how they would feel if the shoe was on the other foot and they were in a confined space, potentially with young children, being put in fear by someone shouting or behaving violently.
“Our attending officers in this incident were also met with violence and this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated.
"I hope the fact that Cooper has been sent to prison sends a message to others about the repercussions of drunk and violent behaviour on aeroplanes.”