Terror in the air as drunk passenger attacks crew when told not to smoke

A drunk aircraft passenger who terrified holidaymakers by fighting cabin crew at 33,000ft after lighting up a cigarette was facing jail today.

The packed Boeing 757 from Antalya in Turkey to Newcastle Airport in March last year had to be diverted to Frankfurt in Germany when 53-year-old Stephen Robinson suddenly developed air rage, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

He was warned he may never be allowed to fly again after admitting endangering the safety of the Thomas Cook flight TCX313L and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

He clambered over other passengers to get into the aisle during the row, and in the melee hit steward Philip Miles in the face, damaging his teeth, which cost £2,000 to repair.

Robinson, from Hope Town Lane, Darlington, was granted bail by Judge Esmond Faulks, who adjourned sentence to September 28.

The judge said: "You have now finally pleaded guilty to the two charges on this indictment.

"They are obviously serious charges so I am not giving any promises about sentence."

The judge added: "He is the sort of person I think should never go on an aircraft again."

Tim Parkin, prosecuting, said Robinson offered the guilty plea on the basis that he admitted endangering other passengers, but not the plane itself.

"It was clearly an utterly terrifying situation for all the people on that flight.

"It was reckless behaviour and it was during the course of the restraint when the unfortunate steward received injuries that required £2,000 dental work to repair.

"The defendant made clear that his recollection of this incident is imperfect."

The row started when Robinson defied the no smoking signs on the plane, and became increasingly aggressive when told to put it out.

Robinson was thrown off the plane at Frankfurt and he had to make his way home from Germany, while the other passengers faced delays of several hours because of the diversion.