Jarrison Lalara faces court for aggravated assault on a Northern Territory pilot

A Territory teenager risked causing a plane crash by repeatedly groping a pilot mid-flight. Read how the potentially terrifying scenario unfolded.

A teenager’s attempted mid-flight blowjob put the lives of all passengers on a Territory charter flight in danger, a court has heard.

Jarrison Lalara, 19, was sentenced in the Supreme Court on Monday, after pleading guilty to aggravated assault and endangering the safe operation of an aircraft.

The court heard the teenager assaulted the pilot on a remote charter flight only four weeks after being released from prison for a horrific boiling water attack.

The 19-year-old sister-girl was flying with four members of their family on April 11, 2022 when the plane landed on an island at East Arnhem Land.

Their family left the plane, leaving Lalara and the pilot alone as it prepared for takeoff to go to the next island.

Chief Justice Michael Grant said Lalara began asking the pilot personal questions.

“You then asked the pilot if you could suck his penis,” Justice Grant said.

“He refused and felt understandably uncomfortable at that approach.”

After the chartered plane took off Lalara continued to pursue the pilot, again asking to give him a blowjob.

“You then placed your hand on the pilot’s thigh and squeezed his penis,” Justice Grant said.

“The pilot removed your hand and told you to stop.

Despite his protests, Lalara massaged the pilot’s shoulders and groped him, squeezing his genitals four more times during the 35km flight.

“On each occasion the pilot removed your hand and told you to stop while he continued

attempting to fly the aircraft,” Justice Grant said.

“When it landed, you apologised to the pilot for your conduct, and you were then taken away by family members.”

Lalara was arrested soon after the assault.

His barrister told the court that Lalara’s actions were “impulsive” and motivated by their attraction to the pilot.

“You say through your barrister that you had no comprehension that by your conduct you were interfering with the control of the plane and placing you and the pilot in danger,” Justice Grant said.

But a Civil Aviation Safety Authority inspector told the court that since there was no autopilot system in place, there was a significant threat to the safety of air navigation.

“It is only by sheer good fortune that no tragedy ensued,” Justice Grant said.

“You placed your own attempts at sexual gratification above both the interests of the victim and the safe operation of the aircraft.”

He said the assault had robbed the pilot of his passion for flying and his motivation to return to work.

“He had treated you and the other passengers on the flight with respect and courtesy,” Justice Grant said.

“He did not deserve to be treated that way.

“(It) showed an absolute disregard for his dignity and his personal autonomy.”

Justice Grant said this was only the second time a person had been convicted for endangering the safe operation of an aircraft in the Territory.

He said the “serious” offence carried a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Justice Grant said at the time Lalara was on a suspended sentence for a horrific attack on a woman which left her with burns to 10 per cent of her body.

Lalara threw boiling water on his victim, scarring her face, neck and chest and leaving her with life-threatening injuries.

He said Lalara was sentenced to two years and four months in prison for unlawfully causing serious harm.

After 12 months behind bars, Lalara’s sentence was suspended.

Justice Grant said the assault of the pilot was a clear violation of that court order, and restored a 16 month jail term.

‘(It) shows a similar disregard for the wellbeing and personal autonomy of other members of the community,” Justice Grant said.

Lalara was sentenced to a total of two years in prison, with a 12 month non-parole period.