Plane diverted after man refused loo visit

A PLANE heading to Amsterdam was diverted back to Birmingham after a passenger became “aggressive and abusive” after being told he couldn’t use the toilet by an air hostess.

Kieran Tabberner, from Paradise Lane, Hall Green, targeted Flybe air stewardess Robyn Pascoe after he saw her using the toilet minutes after takeoff. She had told him he couldn’t go to the loo because the seatbelt signs had been switched on for take-off.

Tabberner confronted Miss Pascoe as she left the toilet, demanding to know why she had used the lavatory while he was told he couldn’t.

His aggressive behaviour caused the Flybe flight BE107 from Birmingham Airport to Amsterdam on May 26 this year to be diverted back to Birmingham just 10 minutes after take-off.

Tabberner was accused of behaving in a threatening, abusive and insulting manner towards a member of aircraft crew and appeared at Birmingham Magistrates Court on Monday.

The court Tabberner’s caused Miss heard how actions Pascoe to resign from her job of seven years due to the impact the incident had on her. It left her suffering from anxiety.

Giving evidence in court, Miss Pascoe said she was “terrified” by Tabberner’s actions.

She said an announcement had been made for passengers to put their seat belts on for take-off at which point he asked if he could use the toilet which she refused.

She said: “He told me he would p*** on the floor if he wasn’t allowed to go. I said he would have to wait. I felt terrified. I have experienced rowdy behaviour on flights before but nothing like this in seven years.”

District Judge Mr Ian Strongman found Tabberner guilty. He was fined £500, told to pay court costs of £500 and ordered to pay Miss Pascoe £500 in compensation plus a £50 court surcharge.

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