Drunk passenger 'rugby tackled to the floor' on Turkish Airlines flight

A drunken plane passenger threw a punch at a flight attendant at 30,000ft and was rugby tackled to the floor after she asked him if he was smoking in the toilets. Guy Lardinois, a Belgian national who lives in Istanbul, Turkey, was on his way to Manchester for a funeral when the altercation happened on Thursday, December 1. He was approached by the flight attendant on the Turkish Airlines flight TK1995 from Istanbul, Manchester and Salford Magistrates' Court heard. The 40-year-old, who had drunk four gin and tonics, denied he was smoking and asked for another drink before returning to his seat, the Daily Mail reported. Prosecutor David Lees said the defendant then started arguing, shouting and became abusive before getting out of his seat and moving to the rear of the plane. Story has further details of incident. Lardinois pleaded guilty to common assault and being drunk while on a flight. He was handed a six-month custodial sentence suspended for two years and was ordered to pay a GBP600 fine. He must also pay GBP100 compensation, a GBP115 victim surcharge and GBP85 court costs before he leaves the country.<br/>