Buckingham Palace Trespasser Jailed for Possession of Bladed Article

A man has been jailed for possession of a bladed article after he snuck into the grounds of Buckingham Palace with a lock knife.

Chorrie Thompson, 46, of no fixed abode, admitted charges of possession of a bladed article and trespassing on a protected site when he appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday, 17th April 2021.

He was back before the same court for sentencing on Friday, 28th May 2021.

Possession of a bladed article is an offence under section 139(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 1988. The offence, which is triable either way, has a maximum penalty of 6 months' custody on summary conviction, 4 years' custody on conviction on indictment.

Trespassing on a protected site is an offence under section 128(1) of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005. The offence has a maximum penalty of 6 months' custody on summary conviction.

The court heard that Thompson tailed a vehicle through one of the Palace's side gates on the morning of Thursday, 18th April 2021. He was apprehended by security staff a few seconds later and barely a few strides into the Palace grounds.

Tom Heslop, prosecuting, outlined the circumstances: "When the officer there needed to open the gates to let a vehicle through Mr Thompson was challenged and stated that he wished to use the toilet.

"He was detained just outside the Palace gates.

"Following a search, he was found in possession of a Stanley-type locking blade."

Thompson, who has paranoid schizophrenia, became agitated when confronted by security staff.

The court heard that Thompson had 32 previous convictions, including two for possession of a bladed article and 13 for burglary.

Anthony James, mitigating, said: "There's no forced entry, the defendant walked in when the gates were open. He was apprehended after only 10 seconds.

"The extent of the trespass was into security lodge, not in the main building. He had actually begun to leave the area when he was stopped.

"He went briefly into an area and indeed as soon as he saw people there, he threw some documents down and left and was apprehended outside the area he trespassed in.

"That can give you some certainty as to whether his intention was to enter the main building on a pre-planned an extensive trespass or a feature of his mental health difficulties."

District Judge Andrew Goldspring was of the opinion that Thompson's offences were so serious that only an immediate custodial sentence was appropriate.

The Judge was clearly frustrated at Thompson's failure to assist the Probation Service in the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Sentencing, he said: "I don't accept at this stage he was seeking to use the toilet. Let's be blunt about it, he can't have not been aware where he was - it's a fairly obvious building, fairly large, most people know what it is.

"He gave a false name. Every time he's asked that specific question but interestingly not the other questions, he says no comment that might be because he knows full well what his intention was.

"Your real reason for being there may be more seriousness than I might assess but I'm not going to make that leap and guess why you are there."

Thompson was sentenced to 6 months' custody for possession of a bladed article and 2 months' custody concurrent for the trespass offence.

He was ordered to pay £128 victim surcharge and £85 towards prosecution costs.

Merseyside Walter Mitty Admits String of Offences Whilst Masquerading as Police Officer

A Merseyside man has been convicted of a string of offences, which he committed whilst drunkenly masquerading as a police officer.

Stephen Monaghan, 37, of Stamford Road, Birkdale, admitted the following offences when he appeared at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on Friday, 21st May 2021:

• Impersonating a police officer - an offence under section 90 of the Police Act 1996. The maximum penalty on summary conviction is 26 weeks' custody and/or an unlimited fine;
• Driving whilst unfit through drink - an offence under section 4(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1988. The maximum penalty on summary conviction is 26 weeks' custody and/or an unlimited fine;
• Possession of an offensive weapon in a public place - an offence under section 1 of the Prevention of Crime Act 1953. The maximum penalty is 26 weeks' custody and/or an unlimited fine on summary conviction; 4 years' custody and/or an unlimited fine on conviction on indictment.

The court heard that Monaghan attempted to steal a bottle of wine from the Costcutter store on Cemetery Road in Southport on 20th March 2021.

He was wearing full police uniform at the time, which included a police-like radio, handcuffs and baton.

The Walter Mitty character, who was unsteady on his feet, told the cashier that he didn't need to pay for the wine because he was on duty.

Olivia Brady, prosecuting, described how Monaghan left the shop empty-handed and got into his Volkswagen Polo parked nearby. He was observed reversing onto the main road, before stalling the vehicle and struggling to park up again.

A passing retired police officer noticed Monaghan as he then exited the Polo. The witness was concerned about Monaghan's welfare, as he appeared unsteady on his feet and had difficulty standing up.

The witness, who believed Monaghan to be a genuine police officer, called 999 to report that he "appeared unwell or was under the influence".

Officers arrived a short time later and found several items of police equipment in Monaghan's car.

He was arrested and taken to Copy Lane Police Station, where he provided an evidential specimen of breath containing 93 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, which is almost three-times the prescribed limit of 35 microgrammes.

Ms Brady noted that Monaghan had previous convictions for impersonating a police officer and possession of an offensive weapon.

Lois Cullen, mitigating, told the court that Monaghan had taken part in role play and re-enactments at a previous place of work. His fascination in dressing up as a police officer had "escalated" to him going out in public.

"The reason it escalated is probably because of his mental health problems," Ms Cullen said.

She went on to explain that Monaghan, who is a manager for a waste management company, had experienced the breakdown of his marriage and increased pressures at work arising from the coronavirus pandemic.

Her client had started to take a combination of prescription medication and alcohol, which left him unable to sleep "for two or three days" and he "effectively fell into some sort of psychosis".

Ms Cullen added that her client had been taken steps to address his mental health difficulties, including visits to his GP and a therapist.

District Judge James Hatton, sentencing, said: "It is quite frankly bizarre and child-like behaviour."

He indicated that he had "just about been persuaded that it would be unjust to impose a custodial sentence" and was of the view that Monaghan could be rehabilitated in the community.

Monaghan was sentenced to an 18-month community order, with the requirement that he completes up to 20 days' rehabilitation activity and 240 hours of unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay £95 victim surcharge and £85 towards prosecution costs.

The Judge also made additional orders disqualifying Monaghan from driving for 28 months and forfeiting the police uniform and baton.

Monaghan replied: "I don't want any of it back."

South Cumbria Man Convicted of Harassing Safety Camera Van Operator

A South Cumbria man has been convicted of harassing a safety camera van operator.

Matthew George Turnbull, 44, of Mikasa Street, Walney, Barrow-in-Furness, admitted a charge of harassment when he appeared at South Cumbria Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, 18th May 2021.

Harassment is an offence under section 2 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. It has a maximum penalty of 6 months' custody and/or an unlimited fine on summary conviction.

The court heard that Turnbull engaged in a course of conduct that caused harassment to police staff member Stuart Burns, who was operating the van in the Barrow area.

On three separate occasions - including twice on the same day - Turnbull approached the van, distracted Mr Burns from his work and obstructed the camera equipment being operated.

The 44-year-old, who has a YouTube channel under the name "mat12128", also pushed his camera into the van in an effort to get video footage "for entertainment purposes".

Very helpfully from the prosecution's point of view, Turnbull uploaded footage of the offences for all to see.

Prosecutor Lee Dacre outlined the circumstances: "On 30th September Mr Burns was working at the location of Park Road in Barrow.

"At 11.05 am he was approached by a male recording on a mobile phone.

"He was pushing the phone in the hatch at the back of the vehicle."

Mr Dacre said Turnbull made a comment on police camera vans being used as "cash cows for the Government".

"Mr Burns told him to stop recording and then closed the hatch,” continued Mr Dacre.

The court heard Turnbull then blocked the safety camera laser preventing Mr Burns from working.

Just over a week later, at around 9 am on 8th October, Turnbull approached a safety camera van parked close to his home in Walney.

Once again, Mr Burns was going about his duties in the rear of the vehicle; Once again, Turnbull attempted to film inside and obstructed the camera equipment.

On that occasion the police were called and moved Turnbull along, but only a few hours later he approached the van for a second time and engaged in similar behaviour.

Mr Dacre said that Mr Burns had suffered a stroke since the incidents and was worried about his blood pressure.

He was anxious about having to return to work in the Barrow area, where he might be confronted by Turnbull again in the future.

Karen Templeton, mitigating for Turnbull, said that her client did not have a "vendetta" against Mr Burns in particular and did not mean to target him (which is contradicted by the fact he returned to the same van and operator for a second time on 8th October).

She euphemistically explained that Turnbull liked to "interview" safety camera operators (among others) for the "entertainment" of his YouTube viewers.

"He should have thought through the consequences," added Ms Templeton.

District Judge John Temperley determined that the offence was serious enough to merit a community order.

Turnbull was sentenced to a 12-month community order with an 8-week electronically monitored curfew requirement.

He was also ordered to pay £95 victim surcharge and £85 towards prosecution costs.

The Judge also imposed a restraining order which prohibits Turnbull from contacting Mr Burns or approaching, filming or obstructing any safety camera van for the next 12 months.

It seems an opportune moment to remind readers that several possible offences can be committed by anyone obstructing a safety camera van.

For those vehicles crewed by police officers, obstructing their work could be an offence under section 89(2) of the Police Act 1996. For those crewed by police staff, an offence under section 46(2) of the Police Reform Act 2002 could be committed.

Of course there is always the possibility of offences under the Public Order Act 1986 in the case of anyone who bandies around threatening or abusive language or behaviour towards a camera operator.

Birmingham Doctor Admits Trying to Pass Off Fake Covid-19 Test Certificates

A Birmingham doctor attempted to pass off forged covid-19 "fit to fly" certificates in order to board a flight to Egypt.

Sohyla Mohamed, 36, of Harborne, Birmingham, admitted a charge of fraud by false representation when she appeared on a previous occasion at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court.

She was sentenced by the same court on Friday, 14th May 2021.

Fraud by false representation is an offence under section 2 of the Fraud Act 2006. It has a maximum penalty of 26 weeks' custody and/or an unlimited fine on summary conviction; 10 years' custody and/or an unlimited fine on conviction on indictment.

Magistrates heard that Dr Mohamed, an Egyptian national, sourced the three forged certificates - one for herself and each of her two children - from a friend, who had downloaded them from the internet.

The cost of a genuine fit to fly certificate, otherwise known as a PCR certificate, is around £120.

She presented them as she attempted to board an EgyptAir flight at London Heathrow Airport on Friday, 2nd April 2021.

Prosecutor David Roberts outlined the circumstances of the offence: "A family of three, this defendant and her two children, presented themselves to check-in to travel on an EgyptAir flight with negative covid certificates.

"Airport staff were suspicious and checked with the clinic, which was said to have issued the certificate and it was confirmed the defendant had not attended that clinic.

"She later attended Heathrow Police Station and when questioned said she asked a friend for the certificate to travel and said she had done the lateral flow test that proved to be negative.

"She said she didn't really think about the impact of presenting a fake certificate, but knew she was negative from the lateral flow test.

'The offence has raised culpability and potential harm flying, at this time.

'The Heathrow supervisor says there has been a rise in fake PCR test certificates.

"She said a friend produced the covid certificate for free."

The court heard that Dr Mohamed arrived in the UK a year ago, when her husband secured employment here. Her employers called her back to Egypt at short notice, so she was in a hurry to return there.

Probation Officer Howard Gibbs, who had interviewed the eye specialist, said: "She says she fully understands her actions were wrong and is fully appreciative of what she has done."

Addressing the court, Dr Mohamed said: "I know I am guilty, but I did not intend to do this, but I was in a rush to go to Egypt and that is why I did this.

"I wanted to make sure I was free of covid and did that lateral flow test. I did not believe it was a very big issue like this."

Magistrates were of the opinion that the offence was so serious that only a custodial sentence was appropriate. However, given Dr Mohamed's previous good character, remorse and timely guilty plea, they indicated the sentence would be suspended.

Presiding Justice Susan Daniel-Keisler, sentencing, said: "She knew what she was doing, she knew a PCR test was required as she found a friend to make a false document for her.

"She could have put many people at risk."

Dr Mohamed was sentenced to 6 weeks' custody suspended for 12 months, with the requirement that she completes 60 hours of unpaid work.

She was also ordered to pay £128 victim surcharge and £85 towards prosecution costs.

Remorseful as Dr Mohamed may be, she is an educated lady who has made a very serious error of judgement.

She does not practise in the UK, but if she ever wishes to do so her conviction may prove a very significant barrier.

Bungling Tyneside Burglars Caught Munching on Crisps After Breaking into Pub

A pair of bungling burglars were caught red-handed when they hung around to eat crisps after smashing their way into a Newcastle pub.

Gary Pickering, 37, of North Parade, Whitley Bay, and Dean Adamson, 36, of Joseph Terrace, Chopwell, Gateshead, each admitted a charge of non-dwelling burglary when they appeared at Newcastle Magistrates' Court on Thursday, 13th May 2021.

Adamson also admitted a charge of shop theft.

Non-dwelling burglary, as in this case, is an offence under section 9 of the Theft Act 1968. It has a maximum sentence of 26 weeks' custody on summary conviction or 10 years' custody on conviction on indictment.

Magistrates heard that the dynamic duo used a brick to smash their way through a reinforced glass window at The High Main public house on Shields Road, Byker, in the early hours of Wednesday, 12th May 2021.

An alarm was activated, but unperturbed the pair clambered through the window into the bar area, where they proceeded to load up a bag with bottles of alcohol.

Clearly having worked up a thirst, the pair decided to pour themselves a drink and snack on crisps, which meant they were still on the premises when police arrived a short time later.

Stewart Haywood, prosecuting, outlined the circumstances: "Upon their arrival at the scene, officers noticed a window had been broken and the alarm was still activated.

"The defendants were observed within the pub crouching next to the bar area.

"While they were in the premises, they had bagged various bottles of alcohol.

"Some bottles were unopened, some were damaged and some had been opened and drank from."

Mr Haywood said that £3,000 worth of damage was caused to the window. Further damage had been caused to partitions installed to allow social distancing.

In relation to Adamson's shop theft, Magistrates heard that on Monday, 26th April 2021, whilst collecting his methadone prescription, he took the opportunity to steal four mobile phone chargers from the Medicentre Chemist on St George's Terrace, Jesmond.

He returned one of the chargers the following day.

Richard Rodgers, mitigating for Pickering, said that the burglary had been committed on impulse because his client "was hungry".

"He picked up a brick as he walked past the pub and threw it through the window," Mr Rodgers said.

"He was more hungry than anything else and went in to eat some food and have something to drink."

Ian Wilson, mitigating for Adamson, said: "They have gone in to eat crisps. There was some drink consumed.

"When they realise the police are on their way, they open some bottles of alcohol and drink it."

Magistrates were of the view that their sentencing powers were insufficient for the offences in hands.

They remanded the pair in custody, for their sentencing at Newcastle Crown Court on Wednesday, 10th June 2021.

Obsessive Cumbrian Stalker Terrorised Ex-Girlfriend

Over the course of several months, an obsessive Whitehaven man made his former girlfriend's life hell.

Rhys Cameron Burr, 21, of Loop North Road, Whitehaven, admitted three offences, as listed below, when he appeared at West Cumbria Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 12th May 2021.

The offences in question were:

• Stalking involving serious alarm or distress, contrary to section 4A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. The maximum penalty for this offence is 10 years' custody and/or an unlimited fine on conviction on indictment; 6 months' custody and/or an unlimited fine on summary conviction.
• Engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour, contrary to section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015. The maximum penalty for this offence is 5 years' custody and/or an unlimited fine on conviction on indictment; 6 months' custody and/or an unlimited fine on summary conviction.
• Interfering with a vehicle and causing danger to a road user, contrary to section 22A(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1988. The maximum penalty for this offence is 7 years' custody and/or an unlimited fine on conviction on indictment; 6 months' custody and/or an unlimited fine on summary conviction.

Magistrates' heard that Burr had been in a relationship with the injured party, Zoe Hodgson.

The couple's relationship turned sour in June 2020 when Miss Hodgson picked up Burr in her BMW and he accused her of cheating.

He grabbed the steering wheel, causing the vehicle to veer onto the wrong side of the road. He also applied the handbrake when the vehicle was in motion.

The court heard that on a previous occasion Burr had thrown keys at the back of Miss Hodgson's head.

Pam Fee, prosecuting, said: "He constantly asked her who she was with and used Snapchat to locate exactly where she was. He made her turn on the find your phone app on her phone."

On another occasion Burr picked up her phone and smashed it to pieces. He also prevented her from leaving by holding the door closed and blocking it with his body.

Burr was also seen vandalising Miss Hodgson's car, but he subsequently got hold of her phone and deleted incriminating footage of the incident.

The relationship ended in November 2020, but Burr continued to pester Miss Hodgson and her friends by sending messages.

On 28th November 2020 he visited her home on four separate occasions, delivering chocolates and 100 love notes, despite having been told to stay away.

"It has been quite a traumatic few months on her", Ms Fee concluded.

Mike Pope, mitigating, said: "There is a mental health element."

Magistrates were of the opinion that their sentencing powers were insufficient to deal with the offences. They sent the case to Carlisle Crown Court for sentencing.

In the meantime Burr was granted conditional bail.

Although no date is given, cases like this are usually listed four weeks later. That being the case, expect to see Burr at Carlisle Crown Court on Wednesday, 9th June 2021 (or thereabouts).

It sounds as if Burr mounted a truly horrendous campaign against Miss Hodgson, which will no doubt leave its mark for years to come. I hope her life goes in a positive direction now.

Bristol Man Jailed After Paying for Puppy Ear Cropping

A Bristol man has been jailed after paying £3,000 for the ears of a litter of puppies to be cropped.

Adam Malik, 29, of Alcove Road, Fishponds, Bristol, admitted a charge of permitting the unnecessary suffering of an animal when he appeared at Bristol Magistrates' Court on Thursday, 6th May 2021.

Permitting the unnecessary suffering of an animal is an offence under section 4(2) of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. It has a maximum penalty of 26 weeks' custody and/or an unlimited fine on summary conviction.

The prosecution was brought by the RSPCA, which attended Malik's property in response to a phone call from a concerned member of the public.

RSPCA inspector Kimily Waters gave an account of the visit.

She said: "I attended the home with police and Malik invited us inside. In one room of the outhouse there was a litter of nine 15-week-old bull breed puppies. They were all fast asleep, piled on top of each other in a makeshift kennel area.

"It was clean and tidy and the puppies appeared in good condition but had all had their ears cropped. Their ears were red, crusty and had not yet healed.

"He told me he had bred the puppies and that he owned their mother, Xena, and father, Pablo.

"Both dogs were outside along with a third, an eight-month-old called Skittles who he explained he’d also bred. Pablo also had cropped ears and Malik explained that he'd been cropped before buying him and importing him from overseas."

Another bitch and her 12 young puppies were being kept in a shower cubicle. All of the dogs were seized from the property.

In interview Malik admitted that he had paid someone £3,000 to crop the ears of the nine bull breed puppies.

Cropping, which is done for purely cosmetic reasons, involves cutting tissue from a dog's ears in order to give it a more "street cred" look.

The court heard that Malik intended to sell on the puppies, which had received no pain relief since the procedure.

Magistrates determined that the offence was so serious that only a custodial sentence was appropriate.

In sentencing, the Presiding Justice said: "You arranged for the puppies to be cropped through someone you didn't know... [they] were given no pain relief. The puppies continued to suffer pain and wound infection and you must have known they were suffering and they continued to suffer.

"They saw no vet and it was all for commercial gain. You have no licence to breed these dogs. We can only order custody as the offence is so serious."

Malik was sentenced to 14 weeks' custody.

RSPCA dog welfare expert Dr Samantha Gaines said: "Ear cropping is a painful process which is carried out purely for cosmetic reasons and is often done to make a dog look more intimidating. It can, however, have lifelong implications on the dog's health and behaviour.

"Dogs can suffer from infected wounds as well as chronic ear infections, while some may remain incredibly sensitive and head shy for their whole lives. Dogs use their ears to communicate with other dogs and with humans and some cropped dogs coming into our care have demonstrated behavioural problems caused by an inability to do this normally."

County Durham Disqualified Driver Jailed After Fleeing McDonald's in Work Van

A County Durham man has been jailed for driving whilst disqualified after McDonald's staff reported him to the police on suspicion of drink driving.

Ian Mason, 36, of East Villas, Haswell, Durham, admitted two charges of driving whilst disqualified and one charge of assaulting an emergency worker, when he appeared in custody at Newcastle Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 28th April 2021.

Driving whilst disqualified is an offence under section 103 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. It has maximum penalty of 26 weeks' custody and/or a fine at level 5 (unlimited) on summary conviction.

Mason also admitted two charges of driving without insurance and one of failing to stop for a police officer.

Magistrates heard that Mason visited the McDonald's drive through in the Byker area of Newcastle on the evening of Monday, 26th April 2021.

Stewart Haywood, prosecuting, outlined the circumstances: "Staff were concerned that the defendant was under the influence, so they asked him to go and park in a waiting bay for the food to be brought to him.

"But, during that time, they called the police. An officer arrived in a police vehicle. He stopped the vehicle and the van being driven by the defendant made a manoeuvre to go round him.

"The van drives towards the officer and the front nearside of the van strikes the officer's right leg, causing minor grazing and abrasion.

"The officer is pushed forward on the van and places his left hand on the bonnet to steady himself and push himself away.

"The passenger in the van can be heard shouting to the defendant to stop."

Enquiries revealed that Mason had recently been employed as a groundsman and the van was owned by his new boss.

Mr Haywood said that Mason drove away from the scene at considerable speed, but his freedom was short-lived when officers stopped him early the following morning on the A1 northbound near Washington.

When asked about the McDonald's incident, Mason dishonestly replied: "What? When did this happen? I was at work all day yesterday".

Paul Dunn, mitigating, said that Mason was travelling at no more than 5 mph when the van struck the officer.

He continued: "He was turning to get passed the police vehicle, having realised it was there.

"He inadvertently struck the officer. He didn't intend to."

Mr Dunn described Mason as a "hard-working" man, who was "frustrated" at not being allowed to drive legally.

Considering the offences in totality, Magistrates were of the opinion that they were so serious that only an immediate custodial sentence was appropriate.

Mason was sentenced to 16 weeks' custody.

He was also disqualified from driving for 36 months and ordered to pay £85 towards prosecution costs and £128 victim surcharge.

"Do You Know Who My Mum Is?" Asks Netflix Z-Lister, Convicted of Abusing Cabin Crew

A cocky Netflix reality show star abused cabin crew who asked him and his travel companions to quieten down during a flight.

Matthew Mawhinney, 29, of Mayfair, Westminster, admitted being a person on board an aircraft failing to obey the lawful commands of a pilot when he appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court on Friday, 30th April 2021.

This is an offence under article 244 of the Air Navigation Order 2016, which has a maximum penalty of a fine at level 4 on summary conviction.

He also admitted a charge of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.

This is an offence under section 4A of the Public Order Act 1986, which has a maximum penalty of 6 months' custody and/or a fine at level 5 on summary conviction.

The court heard that Mawhinney, who is the son of former Attorney General, Baroness Scotland of Asthal, became rowdy during a flight back to London Heathrow on 7th February 2021.

He was returning home after filming in the Caribbean for the second series of dating show "Too Hot To Handle", and was accompanied by fellow contestants Harry Johnson, 28, and Beaux Greenslade, 23, who also admitted both offences today.

Cabin crew approached the trio and asked Johnson and Greenslade to tone it down after they were seen "kissing and behaving intimately" in their seats.

They were repeatedly asked to put their face masks on, but refused to do so.  The captain of the aircraft issued each of them with a written warning and decided they would not be served any more alcohol.

Prosecutor Christelle McCracken told the court that British Airways stewardesses Heather Wenn and Sophie Griffiths had been the target of most of the abuse.

When Ms Wenn told Mawhinney that he could not have any more alcoholic drinks he told her: "Go and fucking look up who my Mum is - Baroness Scotland.

"I'm a gold card holder - go and get me a drink."

He screwed up the written warning he had received from the captain and proceeded to leave his seat and perform press ups in the aisle, despite being instructed to remain in his seat by crew members.

Greenslade, a legal secretary, also became abusive.

She told cabin crew: "Take my tray away. Don't you know I'm a fucking secretary? I will take your job away from you."

When another passenger asked Greenslade to stop being abusive towards the crew, she told them: "Shut up, you fucking c***."

Johnson, a tree surgeon, called Ms Wenn a bitch when he also received a note from the captain saying he was barred from further alcohol.

Greenslade was heard saying "Fuck these people and fuck the captain", telling the stewardesses "look at me when I am talking to you" and telling everyone how rude she thought the crew were.

When they were told the police might be called upon landing, Greenslade replied: "Call the police, they won't fucking do anything."

The police were called and all three were arrested.

In a letter to the court, Mawhinney expressed his remorse: "This is the most shameful and embarrassing thing that has ever happened to me. I make no attempt to excuse what happened."

The court heard that he had been prescribed medication that may have contributed to his poor behaviour on the day.

Mohamed Reza Ally, mitigating for Johnson and Greenslade, said: "This was the opportunity of a lifetime, and you are quite right when you say that they had this sense of entitlement that they probably never had before as a result of the TV programme.

"It was youth, naivety and stupidity - they've involved themselves (in the row) and made it much worse by escalating it into a group situation.

"They are aware that things are not going to be easy in relation to the publicity.

"This behaviour on any view is wholly out of character, and in my submission that should be born in mind."

Passing sentence, District Judge Deborah Wright said: "You were at the end of a prolonged period of social confinement and that might have had some psychological impact on you and might have been the reason each of you behaved out of character.

"You each acted with a profound sense of entitlement, you each acted without any consideration for the crew or the job they had to do."

In relation to the public order offence Mawhinney, Johnson and Greenslade were each fined £1,500 and ordered to pay £500 in compensation to Ms Wenn and £500 in compensation to Ms Griffiths.

They were also each ordered to pay £85 towards prosecution costs and £150 victim surcharge.

The trio were also fined an additional £100 each for failing to obey the lawful commands of the pilot in charge of the aircraft.

It must be said that the arrogance and condescension demonstrated by these three Z-listers are deeply unattractive qualities. Good manners costs nothing.

It is quite telling that Mawhinney asked cabin crew if they knew who his mother was, because if he’d asked if they knew who he was they wouldn’t have had a clue!

In current circumstances cabin crew have quite enough to do ensuring the safety and comfort of passengers on board.

It is completely unacceptable for anyone to abuse them and impede their important work.