Ramiz Idrizi, 38, from Woodvale Avenue in Dublin, received a four-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, at Antrim Magistrates Court in Ballymena. District Judge Nigel Broderick imposed the sentence on Tuesday for offences committed on an easyJet flight from Paris to Belfast International Airport on 14 November last year.

Idrizi was convicted after contest of attempted sexual assault on a girl under 13 and common assault on a male passenger. He pleaded guilty to being drunk on the aircraft, using abusive language toward cabin crew, and attempting to damage the aircraft interior.

The court heard Idrizi consumed five small bottles of wine during the flight. Around 30 minutes before landing, he stated he felt aroused and reached into the gap between his seat and the fuselage, attempting to touch the girl's leg. The girl's mother reported her daughter appeared anxious and frightened.

A male passenger in the same row observed the girl's discomfort and swapped seats. He confronted Idrizi, who responded with an insult toward the mother. The passenger testified he feared assault from Idrizi's escalating behaviour.

Cabin crew intervened after passengers reported Idrizi's disruptive actions, including grunting sounds and refusal to relinquish his remaining wine or change seats. Other passengers were relocated away from him. As the plane approached landing, Idrizi struck the fuselage wall.

Judge Broderick noted the confined aircraft environment made avoidance difficult for passengers. He described the attempted assault as extremely serious but acknowledged Idrizi's clear record. Idrizi must register as a sex offender for seven years.

Prosecutors sought a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which the judge declined, citing insufficient evidence of ongoing risk to the public. Idrizi received fines totalling £600, payable over 16 weeks, and bail pending an appeal of the convictions.