Jet denial

A Cambuslang man has appeared in court charged with being so drunk and abusive on a Hogmanay flight that the captain had to return to Glasgow.

James McMahon was in the dock on Monday, January 2 following his behaviour on the flight to Alicante, Spain.

A Cambuslang man has appeared in court charged with being so drunk and abusive on a Hogmanay flight that the captain had to return to Glasgow.

James McMahon was in the dock on Monday over his alleged disruptive behaviour on an EasyJet flight to Alicante, Spain, on Saturday.

McMahon, 37, was arrested at Glasgow Airport after the flight returned there.

It had been due to take off at 12.15pm but bad weather in England delayed the departure and it took off at 1.50pm.

However, the captain felt he had no option but to return to the airport to have McMahon removed and the plane eventually took off again without him at 3.15pm.

He was held in custody at Greenock police station for two nights before appearing at Paisley Sheriff Court on Monday, January 2.

McMahon pleaded not guilty to the two charges – being drunk on the flight and being so abusive it had to be turned around.

He denies “interfering with the performance by a member of the crew of the aircraft” by repeatedly shouting and swearing and refusing “to desist or moderate [his] behaviour... whereby said aircraft required to return to Glasgow Airport”.

Sheriff James Spy released McMahon on bail and set a pre-trial hearing for March.

McMahon is due to go on trial in April.

Captain felt no option but to have McMahon removed . . .