Peter Sheppard, 49, from Whinfield in Larne, pleaded guilty at Antrim Magistrates Court in Ballymena to being drunk on an aircraft. The charges related to events on April 20 last year during an easyJet flight from Hurghada in Egypt to Belfast International Airport. He also admitted disorderly behaviour toward crew and assaulting a female cabin crew member.

Police spoke to a cabin crew manager at 4.40am after landing. The manager reported that Sheppard had been disruptive, swearing, and using insulting language. He stood over a crew member in an intimidating manner and pressed his forehead against the side of her face while shouting abuse.

A passenger offered to restrain Sheppard during the incident. Sheppard told police he drank a couple of measures before boarding and more from a hip flask onboard. He works as a teacher at Royal Belfast Academical Institution and has no prior convictions but received a caution for resisting police.

District Judge Nigel Broderick noted the confined space of a plane and the seriousness of the matter. The judge imposed 120 hours of community service as an alternative to jail, a £500 fine, and £500 compensation to the crew member.