Man charged after allegedly touching passenger, their food on Gold Coast-bound flight

A man has been accused of sticking his hands in another passenger’s food among other bizarre acts on a Gold Coast-bound flight.

A man accused of touching a female passenger and sticking his hands in her food on a Gold Coast-bound flight will face court on Monday.

It will be alleged the 41-year-old targeted the woman while on an evening flight from Sydney to the Gold Coast on February 4.

The man allegedly put his hand on the woman’s inner thigh several times during the flight, then stuck his hands in her food, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) say.

Police arrested the man when the flight touched down at Gold Coast Airport.

The man has been charged with one count of act of indecency after the flight, which departed from Sydney. Picture: NewsWire / Dylan Coker

He was charged with one count of an act of indecency, which carries a maximum penalty of seven years’ jail.

The Gold Coast man is due to appear in Southport Magistrates Court on Monday.

AFP Detective Superintendent Scott Moller said all travellers had the right to feel safe during their journey.

The 41-year-old is due to appear in court on Monday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / James Gourley

“When travelling through an airport and on a plane, people are bound by Australian law and, where there is evidence someone has committed an (alleged) criminal offence, the AFP will take action,” Superintendent Moller said.

“This (alleged) incident should serve as a reminder to the community that authorities will not tolerate indecent behaviour at our airports or on aircraft.”

Anyone needing a police presence at an airport or wanting to report an incident should call the AFP’s Airport Watch on 131 237.