Media Release: 37-year-old Thornton man charged with assaulting a crew member onboard aircraft
Release Date: Tuesday, May 22 2012, 08:30 AM
A 37-year-old Thornton (NSW) man will face Downing Centre Local Court today charged with offences committed on board a domestic flight from Adelaide to Sydney.
On the evening of 25 April 2012, Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers attended the Sydney Airport Domestic Terminal after a male passenger allegedly physically assaulted a female flight crew member after he was refused further service of alcohol.
The AFP subsequently charged the man with:
- Assaulting a crew member contrary to section 20A of the Crimes (Aviation) Act 1991 (Cth)
The maximum penalty for this offence is 10 years imprisonment.
National Manager of Aviation Shane Connelly said the AFP is concerned by the number of similar incidents taking place around Australia.
“The AFP is responding to far too many instances of aggressive and potentially dangerous behaviour at our airports and in aircraft,” Assistant Commissioner Connelly said.
“I urge the public to remember that when travelling on an aircraft they are bound by Australian laws. Unacceptable behaviour will not be tolerated.”
Assistant Commissioner Connelly stated that these instances of antisocial behaviour often involve alcohol.
“Passengers should consider what effects their alcohol consumption has on fellow passengers and crew, and drink responsibly,” Assistant Commissioner Connelly said.
“Violence and harassment of airline staff and fellow passengers is against the law and the AFP will not hesitate to charge people who commit these offences.”
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