Airline passenger jailed after drunken rampage

A middle-aged mother was branded the “worst airline passenger ever” by a cabin crew member as she was jailed for 21 weeks over a drunken rampage on board a flight to the island of Kos.

Helen Butcher, 51, who had been drinking vodka and gin, swore at cabin crew and reduced holidaymakers to tears, Manchester Crown Court heard. She was arrested when the Thomson plane landed on June 27 last year.

In a statement read in court, one of the crew said: “In 20 years’ experience on aircraft, this was the worst passenger I have ever dealt with.”

Butcher, of Ulverston, Cumbria, admitted assault, threatening behaviour and being intoxicated on an aircraft.