Drunk passenger escaped jail after assaulting hostie

A 40-YEAR-OLD man punched a 24-year-old flight attendant after downing four gin and tonics when she caught him smoking in the toilet.

A 40-year-old man avoided jail after assaulting a 24-year-old flight attendant.

A DRUNKEN airline passenger has escaped jail after downing four gin and tonics and throwing a punch at a stewardess.

Guy Lardinois, 40, was flying from Istanbul to Manchester on Turkish Airlines on Thursday when the shocking incident occurred.

Trouble began when a stewardess approached the Belgian national after she became suspicious he was smoking in the plane’s toilet, Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court heard.

Lardinois denied the accusation and demanded another drink, the judge was told.

But the boozed up passenger didn’t stay sat down for long, Manchester Evening News reported.

Prosecutor David Lees said the contract manager soon began shouting abuse before heading back to the rear of the plane.

Approaching the terrified 24-year-old air hostess, he asked her: “Do you know what I’m going to do to you? You’re f***** up.”

Lardinois then threw a “glancing blow” at the staff member — who was fortunately able to throw her hands up in time to protect her face.

He was arrested at Manchester Airport after downing four gin and tonics.

The prosecutor added: “Another passenger then rugby-tackled the defendant and knocked him to the floor.”

The father-of-one — who suffered a broken leg when he was taken down — was then arrested by cops when the aircraft arrived at Manchester Airport’s Terminal 1 around half an hour later.

Lardinois pleaded guilty to common assault and being drunk while on a flight.

He was sentenced to six months behind bars — suspended for two years — and was ordered to pay a fine of £600 (A$1020).

He was also told he must pay £100 (A$170) in compensation, as well as a £115 (A$196) victim surcharge and £85 (A$145) court costs before he leaves the UK.

The judge told Lardinois: “The fear you put the stewardess and passengers through on that aircraft is not acceptable.”

The Belgian’s defence lawyer Matthew Corn told the court his client was “deeply ashamed” and offered his apologies to all those caught up in the drama.

Corn said he had been on his way to a funeral and his “sombre” mood — combined with the four gin and tonics he had knocked back — had contributed to his behaviour.

He said his client’s actions were uncharacteristic and added that he was now worried about losing his job.

Corn told the court: “This is so out of character — he is utterly ashamed of himself.

“He’s let himself down by his foolishness on this flight.”

This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission.