Swalyn Barton-Cootes asks to return to Perth after alleged in-flight assault
The man who forced an international flight to divert via Melbourne after allegedly trying to “headbutt” a cabin manager, has asked to be allowed to fly interstate.
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A man who forced a Perth to Auckland flight to divert through Melbourne after he allegedly became aggressive and tried to headbutt the cabin manager will fly back to Perth ahead of his case being heard.
Swalyn Barton-Cootes, 23, faces one charge of assault after he allegedly became aggressive and disruptive on the international flight on October 23.
In court documents seen by the Herald Sun, Mr Barton-Cootes allegedly “swore loudly in an aggressive manner” about an hour into the evening flight, disrupting other passengers.
Mr Barton-Cootes’ alleged outburst caused the cabin manager to issue him with a warning – during which he allegedly grabbed the manager’s arm, pulled himself out of his seat and attempted to headbutt the cabin manager several times.
It is alleged Mr Barton-Cootes was drunk at the time of the incident.
According to the court documents, the cabin manager “verbally calmed” Mr Barton-Cootes and walked him to the back of the plane, before other passengers stepped in to “physically restrain” him, due to “ongoing aggressive behaviour”.
The flight was forced to be diverted, and landed in Melbourne at 1.50am, where Australian Federal Police took Mr Barton-Cootes into custody in what was described as a “dramatic arrest”.
On Friday, Mr Barton-Cootes told the Magistrate Stella Stuthridge at Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court he intended to plead not guilty.
The maximum penalty for assaulting a cabin crew member is 20 years behind bars.
In court on Monday, Mr Barton-Cootes’ lawyer requested a bail variation that would allow him to return to Perth while awaiting the continuation of his case.
Magistrate Timothy Bourke agreed, adjusting bail to a Golden Bay address in Western Australia.
Mr Barton-Cootes was ordered to surrender his passport and is set to return to court on January 15 in 2025.
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