23 September 2023, 6:02pm
Media Release
Airline passenger jailed in NT for unruly behavior
A Northern Territory man who assaulted fellow passengers and caused more than $7000 worth of damage to an aircraft has been sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment.
The Groote Eylandt man pleaded guilty in the Darwin Local Court on Thursday (21 September, 2023) to five offences relating to violent behaviour during a flight from Cairns to Groote Eylandt on 20 April, 2023.
During the flight the man became aggressive towards passengers and airline staff before punching and damaging the aircraft. The man refused to follow the instructions of airline staff and assaulted fellow passengers.
The man was arrested and charged with disorderly behaviour and contravening a domestic violence order.
The AFP charged the man with endangering the safety of an aircraft, committing affray on an aircraft and assault.
AFP Superintendent Greg Davis said the AFP and its partners would not tolerate disorderly or violent behaviour on aircraft or in and around airports.
“Police and airline workers are there to ensure the safety of passengers and it’s important for the public to treat everyone at the airport and on board aircraft with respect.
“Anyone choosing to behave poorly on an aircraft will be dealt with accordingly,” he said.
The man, 24, pleaded guilty in the Darwin Local Court to:
- Endangering the safety of aircraft, contrary to section 22(1) of the Crimes (Aviation) Act 1991 (Cth);
- Certain offences committed on aircraft (affray), contrary to section 15(1) of the Crimes (Aviation) Act 1991 (Cth);
- Certain offences committed on aircraft (assault occasioning bodily harm – aggravated offence), contrary to section 15(1) of the Crimes (Aviation) Act 1991 (Cth);
- Contravention of a domestic violence order, contrary to section 120(1) of the Domestic and Family Violence Act 2007 (NT); and
- Offensive conduct, contrary to section 47(a) of the Summary Offences Act 1923 (NT).
If you require a police presence at an airport, or wish to report an incident or provide information, please call the AFP’s Airport Watch on 131 AFP (131 237).
Media enquiries:
AFP Media: (02) 5126 9297
Connect with us:
Follow our Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube pages to learn more about what the AFP does to keep Australia safe.
