Drunken British passenger fined after airline forced to divert to Bermuda

HAMILTON, Bermuda − A 39-year-old drunken British passenger, whose actions forced a flight to Mexico to be diverted to Bermuda, was fined US$1 500 in court here.

James Rogers, from the English county of West Sussex, was handed over to Bermuda police officers after Thursday’s flight from London to Cancun made an emergency landing on the island, the Magistrates’ Court heard on Friday.

Prosecutor Nicole Smith said Rogers became aggressive on the TUI airline flight, demanded more alcohol from cabin crew and told them he was a boxer.

“I’m going to punch you in the face and knock you out. I’ll kick off, I’ll smoke in the toilet,” he shouted at the crew.

A cabin crew member later caught Rogers coming out of a toilet smelling of cigarette smoke. The captain decided to land in Bermuda and Rogers was arrested.

The court heard that Rogers threw himself to the ground and banged his head several times on the floor, which caused abrasions to his face.

He pleaded guilty to being drunk on an aeroplane, smoking a cigarette on board and acting in a disorderly manner.

Rogers, who appeared in court with a bruise on his face, initially denied the first two charges. But when he was told he would have to stand trial, he changed his plea to guilty on all three charges.

Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo fined Rogers $500 on each charge. (CMC)