Passenger freaks out and punches stewardess in the face: police have to intervene!

Manchester (Great Britain) - Goodbye vacation: A drunk passenger on a Jet2 flight caused his involuntary return to the gate - and is now standing trial.

Because of Lewis Howarth (36), an airplane had to turn around on the runway and return to the gate.
Because of Lewis Howarth (36), an airplane had to turn around on the runway and return to the gate.  © Screenshot/Facebook/Lewis Howarth

36-year-old Lewis Howarth had consumed a considerable amount of alcohol before taking off from Manchester Airport in England . The crew was immediately alerted.

As the New York Post reported, the problems began when a stewardess asked the man to fasten his seatbelt. But he was no longer able to do so.

"He was slurring his words and swearing, his pupils were dilated and his coordination was very poor," said the prosecutor in charge of the incident, which took place in August of this year.

Shortly afterwards, the captain was informed and spoke to Howarth personally. But the situation took a dramatic turn.

Lewis Howarth insulted and injured officers and passengers

Lewis Howarth flew off on vacation despite his tantrum.
Lewis Howarth flew off on vacation despite his tantrum.  © Screenshot/Facebook/Lewis Howarth

"He got up from his seat, insulted the flight attendant as a****hole, was asked to sit down and told that he could be removed from the aircraft," the public prosecutor's office continued. At this point, the plane was already on its way to the runway.

The climax was reached when the drunken passenger punched a stewardess in the face. The captain then decided to return to the parking position.

The police were alerted and removed the troublemaker from the plane to applause from the other passengers.

But even after this, Howarth remained uncooperative. When one of the officers escorted him out, he insulted the police with the words: "Fuck off, you idiot."

Judge considers six months in prison too little for Lewis Howarth

Six months in prison for Lewis Howarth is too little in the opinion of the judge in charge.
Six months in prison for Lewis Howarth is too little in the opinion of the judge in charge.  © Screenshot/Facebook/Lewis Howarth

The situation escalated further in police custody: the 36-year-old threatened to bite one officer and kicked another in the face. To fend off the attack, the police officer punched Howarth in the stomach.

Despite the incident, the man showed no remorse. The next day, he flew to Turkey on vacation with his wife and children.

Lewis Howarth was finally sentenced last Friday. Although he confessed to his actions, the judge in charge decided that the usual sentence of up to six months in prison would not be sufficient.

The case was therefore referred to the Crown Court, where a more severe sentence is threatened.