Queanbeyan man charged after allegedly kicking at airline staff, biting passenger while being restrained on Perth-bound flight from Canberra
A man has been charged after allegedly kicking an airline crew member and biting a passenger who tried to restrain him on a flight from Canberra to Perth.
The 45-year-old Queanbeyan man allegedly behaved in a “disorderly manner” during the flight on April 16, shouting, swearing and ignoring safety instructions from airline crew.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) claimed that the man kicked and pushed the seat of the female passenger in front of him and then became aggressive after the woman asked him to stop.
“The cabin crew informed the flight captain about the man’s behavior and received authorization to restrain him,” AFP said in a statement.
The man is alleged to have kicked the cabin crew manager and tried to bite the arm of a restrained passenger.
The man has since been charged with one count each of assault on aircrew, failure to comply with safety instructions given by a cabin crew member and offensive or disorderly behavior on board.
He first appeared in Perth Magistrates’ Court on April 17 but returned to court briefly on Friday.
AFP Acting Inspector Peter Brindal said anti-social or aggressive behavior endangered the safety of other people.
“Being in the air does not give anyone immunity from the law and consequences in the field,” Inspector Brindal said.
“The AFP works closely with airlines to ensure the safe travel of people across Australia and will take people to court if they are accused of breaking the law.”
