Drunk friends who abused cabin crew on Jet2 flight jailed

Two drunken friends who sparked mayhem on a flight after they were refused a bottle of champagne have been jailed.

Daniel Keigher, 32, and Daniel Naylor, 29, abused cabin crew staff members after they were told they could only buy one alcoholic drink each, a court heard.

After unleashing a torrent of abuse and attempting to bear hug staff members, they were handed a final warning letter.

Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard on Wednesday how the pair told staff they were unable to read the letter because they were dyslexic.

They both refused to hand over their passports, stating they didn't care if they were arrested or if the flight was diverted.

The pair were arrested when their Jet2 flight from Krakow, Poland, landed in Manchester at 10pm on 28 September this year.

Naylor and Keigher, both of Bolton, Greater Manchester, admitted being drunk on an aircraft and each was jailed for 18 weeks and ordered to pay £75 compensation to one of the crew members, plus £213 in costs and surcharge.

The airline also banned the pair from their aircraft for a year.

Prosecutor Paul Sumner outlined how the pair conducted themselves.

He said: "They were on board a flight from Poland to Manchester Airport due to land at 10pm.

"The defendants were sat with a group of people, approximately four.

"The cabin crew had made a decision to serve one alcoholic beverage to each passenger to prevent issues.

"Naylor wanted two alcoholic drinks, he immediately asked for a bottle of champagne, that was refused."

He added after Keigher was refused a drink he became disruptive and began shouting.

He said: "Both males were handed a final warning letter, both stated they couldn't read it because they were dyslexic."

Representing the pair, defence agent Emma Hassell said they were not alcoholics and were both hard working family men.

She said: "They had consumed alcohol but not so much they were refused entry.

“They accepted their behaviour, they had had a drink, the bear hug was meant jokingly not threateningly.

"Mr Naylor is a subcontractor, Mr Keigher is a joiner.

"They would not be able to do this job if they were dependent on alcohol, they both work very hard."

District judge Bernard Begley said there was no alternative to custody.

He said: "You have both stable family lives and gainful employment, that falls in your favour."

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