Swalyn Barton-Cootes booted off plane at Melbourne for alleged crew member assault

A flight from Perth to Auckland had to make an unexpected stop in Melbourne for federal police to make a dramatic arrest of a passenger who allegedly assaulted a crew member.

A New Zealand man was dramatically booted off an international flight for allegedly assaulting a crew member, with the flight being forced to divert into Melbourne.

Swalyn Barton-Cootes, 23, was charged with one count of assaulting an Air New Zealand crew member on a flight from Perth to Auckland on Wednesday.

Police allege Mr Barton-Cootes was intoxicated at the time.

The flight was diverted to Melbourne after crew members restrained the 23-year-old at the back of the plane after the alleged assault.

Upon landing in Melbourne, Australian Federal Police officers arrested Mr Barton-Cootes.

Swalyn Barton-Cootes has been charged after allegedly assaulting a crew member during an international flight from Perth to Auckland. Picture: Australian Federal Police

Dressed in a white hoodie, Mr Barton-Cootes appeared briefly at Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court on Thursday without a lawyer.

When asked by Magistrate Stella Stuthridge why he was not legally represented he said he “did not know how the system works”.

Ms Stuthridge then asked Mr Barton-Cootes if he had any objection to media applications to which he replied: “I apologise”.

The court heard he intended to plead not guilty.

The maximum penalty for assaulting a crew member is 20 years behind bars.

The matter has been adjourned to be heard at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court next week, with his bail extended until then.