Businessman dragged off Jet2 flight to Turkey after calling police 'little rats'

Jet2 planes
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


A businessman was dragged off a Jet2 flight scheduled for Turkey after going on a drunken rampage. 'Highly intoxicated' Lewis Howarth was escorted off the plane by police officers after cabin crew raised concerns about his behaviour.

The plane had started making its way to the runway at Manchester Airport when police were called. He had been abusive to staff, repeatedly stood up during a safety briefing and called one stewardess a 'd*******' when asked to fasten his seatbelt.

Officers quickly boarded the plane and removed Howarth, with passengers clapping and cheering as he was removed. Howarth has now been locked up for 14 weeks.

ADVERTISEMENT

READ MORE: Mum of girl, 6, 'found dead with dad in murder-suicide says it's the worst time of her life'

Don't miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the BirminghamLive newsletter here.

Manchester Crown Court heard how Howarth initially seemed compliant when police boarded the plane. But his behaviour quickly changed when they started escorting him towards the exit, Manchester Evening News reports.

Prosecutor Saul Brody said: "He started to resist and tried to fight or assault those escorting him. He was taken to the floor and handcuffed, and was described as thrashing his head towards the passengers and officers.

"He was restrained on the floor of the aisle, and once outside he continued shouting abuse towards the officers." Bodycam footage shown to the court captured hundreds of passengers clapping and cheering.

ADVERTISEMENT

Some filmed on their mobile phones as Howarth was taken away, swearing at officers as he was moved off the flight. At one stage, an officer tells him: "You were bang out of order, there were so many kids on there."

Howarth slurred: "My kids are there… you are f****** wrong. Nah f*** off you little rats. Do you [really think] I’m not going to go on holiday?"

The officer replied: "No you’re not." Howarth said: "No I’m not, you little rat, you f****** d********, rat b*******." Jet2 staff then brought over a wheelchair, which was used to escort Howarth away from the plane.

As he was being lifted into it, he tried to bite one officer and kicked out at another. Howarth later admitted he had drunk half a bottle of whisky before the flight, Mr Brody said.

The court heard he had previous convictions for being drunk and disorderly, affray, racially aggravated harassment, assaulting a police officer and failing to comply with court orders. William Staunton, defending, said Howarth was travelling with his family and relatives of a friend when he was 'peer pressured' into having a drink because he was nervous of flying.

ADVERTISEMENT

He had been 'chastised' by his fiancé when she became aware of how drunk he was and that triggered his behaviour. Mr Staunton said: "He had the hangover of all hangovers. He is profoundly ashamed and deeply remorseful. He wants to say sorry and this won’t happen again."

Howarth, of Mobberley Road, Bolton, part-owned a building company and was a successful installer. He had also completed work within the community and appeared on TV for DIY emergencies.

Mr Staunton added: "He is an asset to the community." Sentencing, Recorder Geoffrey Wells said: "This behaviour was shocking. There is no excuse for being drunk when you go on an airplane.

"Your children saw you behaving like that. What kind of example is that? Wholly disgraceful. ‘Peer pressure?’ What nonsense."

The recorder said there was a 'complete lack of control', a 'complete lack of thought' and a 'complete abdication of your responsibility as a father and a member of the public'. Howarth admitted entering an aircraft when drunk, assault on an emergency worker and common assault of an emergency worker.

He was jailed for 14 weeks on January 23.