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  • 14 hours ago
A man caused alarm on a flight arriving at Bristol after drinking heavily at Krakow airport. Authorities say his behaviour endangered crew and passengers, and he has pleaded guilty to multiple charges.
Transcript
00:00A drunk plane passenger screamed, I'm savage, I drink JD, and you can't tell me what to do, I'm English
00:09on a flight a court has heard.
00:11The passenger on a flight to Bristol Airport caused alarm amongst crew as well as fellow travellers after becoming heavily
00:19intoxicated.
00:21Stephen Blofield, aged 61 from Pembrokeshire, had been drinking at Krakow Airport before boarding the plane.
00:28Magistrates heard that as the Boeing 737 approached Bristol, Blofield began shouting, swearing and ignoring repeated instructions from cabin crew.
00:40At one point he told the passengers, I'm savage, I drink JD, and when asked to calm down, responded, you
00:47can't tell me what to do, I'm English.
00:50Prosecutor Michael Collins described passengers as visibly fearful, with some recording the incident on their mobile phones.
00:59The cabin crew and captain of the aircraft issued a lawful order for Blofield to remain seated, which was ignored,
01:07creating a safety risk on board.
01:09On landing, police boarded the aircraft, where body-worn footage captured Blofield's continued aggressive behaviour, including verbally abusing officers whilst
01:21being restrained.
01:22Police reported officers had to restrain Blofield on arrival to prevent further risk to passengers and crew.
01:29The defendant, wearing blue jeans and a green zip-up top, pleaded guilty to four charges relating to the incident,
01:37which took place on the 11th of November last year, when he appeared at North Somerset Magistrates Court.
01:43Court documents show he pleaded guilty to four charges, these included entering an aircraft whilst drunk, and a second charge
01:52of failing to obey the lawful commands of the pilot to remain seated, which was given for the purpose of
01:58securing the safety of the aircraft.
01:59The additional two charges were behaving in a threatening, abusive, insulting, or disorderly manner towards a member of aircraft crew,
02:09and using threatening, abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm, or distress in relation to other passengers.
02:19The court was told that Blofield felt ashamed and embarrassed about his actions.
02:23North Somerset Magistrates Court confirmed all charges against Stephen Blofield were accepted.
02:28Magistrates heard Blofield had drunk two doubles at the airport and described himself as a bit drunk.
02:34Defence counsel requested a pre-sentence report to account for his significant health conditions.
02:40The court granted unconditional bail, with Blofield due to appear at Bristol Crown Court for sentencing on the 7th of
02:48April.
02:48The case highlights the potential dangers posed by intoxicated passengers and
02:53and reinforces the responsibilities of airline staff and authorities to maintain safety in the air.
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