Peter Shepherd, a 49-year-old PE teacher at Royal Belfast Academical Institution, received a 120-hour community service order at Antrim Magistrates Court in Ballymena for offences committed on an EasyJet flight.

The flight originated from Hurghada, Egypt, and arrived at Belfast International Airport on April 20 of last year. Police attended the airport in the early hours after reports of an assault on board.

Shepherd, from Whinfield in Larne, pleaded guilty to assaulting the female cabin crew manager, using disorderly behaviour, being drunk on the aircraft, and behaving in a threatening and abusive manner.

Prosecutors stated that Shepherd acted disruptively towards crew members and pressed his forehead into the side of the cabin manager's face while shouting abuse at her.

During police interviews, Shepherd denied the assault allegations but acknowledged consuming drinks before boarding and using a hip flask during the flight.

District Judge Nigel Broderick noted the confined nature of aircraft and imposed the community service as an alternative to imprisonment. Shepherd must also pay a £500 fine and £500 compensation to the cabin manager.

Defence counsel Peter Sands told the court that Shepherd continues to work at the school with support but faces assessment by the Board of Governors after the case conclusion.