Manchester Louts Jailed for Mid-Air Drunken Abuse of Cabin Crew

Two Manchester men will be receiving their Christmas dinner courtesy of the taxpayer after drunkenly abusing staff on a Jet2 flight.

Daniel Naylor, 29, of Wasdale Avenue, Breightmet, and Daniel Keigher, 32, of Turner Bridge Road, Tong Moor, earlier admitted charges of being drunk on board an aircraft. They appeared for sentencing at Manchester Magistrates' Court on Thursday, 3rd December 2020.

Being drunk on board an aircraft in an offence under Article 139(1) of the Air Navigation Order 2009. It has a maximum penalty of an unlimited fine and/or 6 months' custody on summary conviction, or an unlimited fine and/or 2 years custody on conviction on indictment.

The court heard that the friends were flying back to Manchester on the evening of  Sunday, 20th September 2020 after enjoying a short break in Poland.

Prosecutor Paul Sumner said: "Cabin crew had made the decision to only serve one alcoholic drink to every passenger on board but this became an issue for Mr Naylor who wanted two drinks.

"He was told he could only have one but he asked for a bottle of champagne. This was refused.

"Mr Keigher then asked a member of cabin crew for a brandy but this was also refused.

"As a result he became aggressive and shouted "fuck off"."

Both men were asked for their passports, so that the crew could complete a report. Keigher refused, telling the crew member concerned that they would "have to fucking get it".

Naylor, whose behaviour was described as "strange", also refused to hand over his passport. He responded to the request by wrapping his arms around the crew member in what was described to the court as a "bear hug".

In a victim impact statement, that crew member said: "I do my job to the utmost of my ability and it is a crucial position to ensure the safety of passengers.

"When disruptive passengers such as Keigher and Naylor are on board, it diverts my ability to carry out my role.

"For anyone to affect this will not be tolerated. I will also do not come to work to be insulted or sworn at in such an aggressive manner."

Emma Hassell, mitigating, told District Judge Bernard Begley that both men had previously convictions, but had managed to turn their lives around.

She explained that Naylor was a former Royal Regiment of Fusiliers soldier who had served in Afghanistan and is still troubled by the experience. Keigher is a self-employed joiner and father of one, who has another child on the way.

"Both men have expressed extreme remorse and are disgusted in their behaviour," said Ms Hassell.

"The bear hug was meant as more jovial than threatening but I don't seek to mitigate their behaviour, they had had a drink."

Judge Begley was of the view that the offences were so serious that only an immediate custodial sentence was appropriate.

Addressing the pair, the straight-talking Judge said: "You both have settled family lives and gainful employment.

"However, Mr Keigher, you have previous convictions with a clear vein running through them - your conduct while under the influence of alcohol. I do acknowledge that it has been some years since your last conviction.

"Mr Naylor, you too have previously offended under the influence of alcohol. That is a concern despite the age of those convictions.

"The Court of Appeal as recently as 2017 made it clear that those who get drunk on an aircraft must expect an immediate custodial sentence.

"Your conduct in the confined space of an aircraft, best to be described as loutish behaviour, was undoubtedly terrifying to passengers, distracting and disruptive to staff and posed a risk to the safety of that flight."

Naylor and Keigher were sentenced to 18 weeks' custody.

They were also ordered to pay £75 compensation, £128 victim surcharge and £85 towards prosecution costs.

Jet2 has also banned them from its flights for 12 months.

Some concluding advice to anyone planning on flying over the festive period: Never drink on an empty head.