Derek Wayne Hunter jailed for violent outburst on Jetstar flight from Darwin to Adelaide

A drunk western suburbs man abused cabin crew and smoked a ciggy on a Jetstar flight, before a violent “face off” with AFP. Watch the shocking video.

A grandfather could be heard saying “f*** the police” as the plane where he had abused cabin crew and smoked in the toilet touched down in Adelaide.

Derek Wayne Hunter, 55, was jailed for his drunken violent outburst, which left a Federal officer requiring surgery.

The Adelaide Magistrates Court on Friday heard Hunter was a passenger on a Jetstar flight from Darwin to Adelaide on October 10, 2021.

Hunter, who was on new medication, started drinking to calm his nerves over his fear of flying.

He consumed several rums on the flight and became “loud, rude and aggressive” when he was denied another one.

The court heard he started swearing, singing and making sexualised comments, with one passenger saying Hunter made her and her children feel “very uncomfortable and scared”.

Hunter then challenged and intimidated two cabin crew members.

“During the flight you rolled a cigarette and went to a toilet at the front of the plane to smoke it,” Magistrate Roderick Jensen said during sentencing.

The captain contacted the Australian Federal Police (AFP) who had two officers waiting for Hunter on arrival to Adelaide.

The court heard Hunter could be heard commenting “f*** the police if they want me” and “f***ing police, I’ll tell them straight, I’ll meet them”.

Hunter and the AFP officers had a “face off” and a physical altercation arose.

He was restrained and resisted arrest, with several passengers and other police officers becoming involved to bring him to the ground.

Derek Hunter was jailed for obstructing AFP officers on a Jetstar flight. Photo: 7 News

Derek Hunter had to be restrained by officers after the “face off”. Photo: 7 News

“During this time you say that you felt you could not breathe and felt badly injured,” Mr Jensen said.

The court heard one of the AFP officers suffered a ruptured ligament on his thumb, which required surgery.

Derek Hunter was jailed for obstructing AFP officers on a flight. Photo: Facebook

Derek Hunter seen outside the Adelaide Magistrates Court at an earlier appearance. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Mariuz

Hunter, of Findon, pleaded guilty to multiple offences, including disorderly behaviour, intimidating crew on an aircraft and two counts of obstructing a Commonwealth public official.

He is currently banned from Adelaide Airport.

Mr Jensen said Hunter accepted his behaviour was appalling and was deeply sorry for his actions.

The court heard Hunter had a difficult childhood and turned to alcohol and crime from a young age.

The court heard the father-of-two and grandfather worked as a traffic controller in remote areas.

Mr Jensen sentenced Hunter to six months jail for his “foolish and regrettable” offending.

Hunter was ordered to serve two months in jail and then will be released on $500, 12 month good behaviour bond.