A plane was diverted just 10 minutes after take-off when a passenger became “threatening and aggressive”.

Kieran Tabberner was on a Flybe flight from Birmingham to Amsterdam when he saw red after being told he could not use the toilet until the seatbelt signs had been switched off.

Birmingham Magistrates' Court was told he targeted flight attendant Robyn Pascoe in a “threatening, abusive and insulting manner” after she used the lavatory when he was told he could not.

The flight was diverted back to Birmingham Airport just 10 minutes after take-off on May 26 this year due to his behaviour, reports the Birmingham Mail.

Kieran Tabberner, of Paradise Lane, Hall Green, has been sentenced for abusing a flight tenant on a flight
Kieran Tabberner has been sentenced for abusing a flight attendant

The court heard how Tabberner’s actions caused Miss Pascoe to resign from her job of seven years due to the impact the incident had on her. It left her suffering from anxiety.

Giving evidence in court Miss Pascoe said she was “terrified” by Tabberner’s actions.

She said Tabberner ran onto the plane with three other passengers and was “loud and “rowdy” during the safety briefing and at one point “belly flopped” over the arm rest into the aisle.

She said an announcement had been made for passengers to put their seat belts on for take-off at which point he asked if he could use the toilet which she refused.

She said: “He told me he would **** on the floor if he wasn’t allowed to go. I said he would have to wait.

“Shortly after we took off we got a signal from the captain that as cabin crew we could take our seat belts off.

“I went to the toilet but when I came out he was waiting trying to get in. I told him he had to go back to his seat as the seat belt signs were still on but he kept saying ‘You have been to the toilet so why can’t I?’ It was a confined area and he was waving his arms around aggressively and shouting. I felt terrified. I have experienced rowdy behaviour on flights before but nothing like this in seven years.”

Flybe has said it has upgraded its on-board food and drink offer
Flybe has said it has upgraded its on-board food and drink offer

Cabin crew member Sasha Bennington then told Tabberner to go back to his seat which he did.

The captain was notified of the incident and a decision was made to turn the aircraft back and head back to Birmingham.

In court Miss Bennington said she had rushed to Miss Pascoe’s aid after hearing Tabberner being aggressive towards her.

“As she was coming out if the toilet he was trying to get in. He was in her face waving his arms and being very threatening. I have never seen Robyn like this. She is a tough cookie but was very shaken and upset. We decided to tell the captain.”

Giving evidence Tabberner said he had asked Miss Pascoe if he could use the toilet as he got on the plane but was refused.

He said: “I was dying to go to the toilet - I was literally bursting. When I saw her go to the toilet I thought it was OK for me to get up as well and decided to wait outside. I was upset and confused when she came out but I wasn’t aggressive towards her. I went back to my seat. I was shocked when they said the flight was turning back. I turned round and apologised to the other passengers.”

When the plane landed at Birmingham, Tabberner and the three passengers he was travelling with were then escorted off the plane by police. He was asked to attend a police station the following day.

District Judge Mr Ian Strongman found Tabberner guilty of behaving in a threatening, abusive and insulting manner towards a member of aircraft crew.

He said: “Your actions had a serious financial impact for the company Flybe and a huge impact on Miss Pascoe who gave up her career due to this incident.”

Tabberner, of Paradise Lane, Hall Green, was fined £500, told to pay court costs of £500 and ordered to pay Miss Pascoe £500 in compensation plus a £50 court surcharge.