A man was imprisoned for five weeks on Wednesday ( May 14 ) for an “air rage” incident where he had to be physically restrained on a Scoot flight.
Kolathu James Leo, 42, entered a guilty plea to one count of drunkenness, putting in a risk to the flight’s good order and discipline.
The Air Navigation Act offence can result in both fines of up to S$ 20 000 ( US$ 15 ), or jail terms of up to a year.
He was charged with two additional judicial force and harassment counts after threatening to kill a crew member by grabbing his wrist.
Kolathu, who resides in Canberra, was reported to be traveling on Scoot trip TR3 from Sydney to Singapore on February 27.
He had just learned that his brother had passed away there that day that he was supposed to be traveling through Singapore on his approach to India.
Kolathu drank at least four photographs of vodka at home that night before making his way to Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport.
He jumped on the plane in a position of drunkenness and soon after takeoff, rose from his chair while the belt was still on.
He obeyed team members ‘ requests to return to his seat, but he began to harass three people seated nearby by constantly pushing and yelling at them.
Kolathu was given a warning letter from the captain that the team had to hand out to him in order to take his actions seriously.
However, Kolathu failed to read the letter. Additionally, he attempted to remove a chair bag and slammed the front desk against him.
A member of the crew witnessed these activities, and they were concerned Kolathu had become violent. He asked his coworkers to take a real caution device after reporting the event to the pilot.
Moved to additional seats were the three travellers who were being harassed by Kolathu. Finally, the captain instructed Kolathu to use the device to restrain her.
After the helicopter touched down at Changi Airport, Kolathu was detained. He had 96 alcohol in a blood sample that contained 100 mg of the drug.
The defense requested three days ‘ jail while the prosecutors requested four months.
District Judge Janet Wang argued in punishment that this was an instance of “air trend,” in which the health of the journey crew and passengers were seriously endangered.
She argued that all airlines must adhere to the highest standards of health.
This is because, unlike other forms of public transportation, it would be difficult to get law enforcement’s support right away in the middle of a trip or to deflect a trip due to an emergency.
She continued, and Kolathu displayed a persistent pattern of violent do as well as a rebellion of cautions. Weather transport workers are vulnerable patients, she continued.