Police issue warning for holiday-goers after man jailed for drunken behaviour on Leeds Bradford flight

Police have issued a warning to holiday-goers that violence on flights “will not be tolerated” after a Leeds passenger was jailed for drunken behaviour on a plane.

Nathan Cooper was sentenced to 15 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to affray and being drunk in an aircraft at Leeds Crown Court earlier this week.

The 44-year-old bricklayer started fighting with another passenger in the rear galley of the plane, causing members of the crew and other passengers to fear violence on a flight from Leeds Bradford Airport in July last year.

Cooper, of Dene Park, Harrogate, also punched one police officer and bit another and a mostly drunk bottle of vodka was found at the passenger’s seat.

Police have now issued a warning on the consequences of drunk, disorderly and violent behaviour on aeroplanes.

Inspector Kevin Lowther said: “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.”

Insp Lowther said that Nathan Cooper’s prevention should set an example against this kind of behaviour.

“Our attending officers in this incident were also met with violence and this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated,” he added.

"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.”