Warning: This story contains graphic images.
A Perth woman has been charged after she allegedly stabbed an Australian Federal Police officer with a pen while being escorted from a plane for being disruptive.
The incident unfolded on Monday night, when cabin crew onboard a Jetstar flight which arrived at Perth Airport from Sydney called for assistance with a passenger who had allegedly become disruptive and refused to follow crew instructions.
An AFP officer stabbed in the face and neck at Perth Airport by disruptive passenger.Credit: AFP
When AFP officers tried to remove the 34-year-old woman from the plane, she walked away from them before allegedly using a pen concealed under her clothes to stab an officer when they tried to restrain her.
She also allegedly stabbed a second officer in the face and neck after he rushed in to help his colleague.
That officer was taken to Royal Perth Hospital for treatment but was discharged the next day.
The woman was charged with two counts of causing harm to a Commonwealth official, one count of obstruction and one count of failing to comply with safety instructions given by cabin crew. She was set to appear in Perth Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Acting Commander Murray Taylor said the AFP and its partners had “zero tolerance for antisocial, violent or dangerous behaviour towards passengers, staff or law enforcement at our airports”.
“Passengers expect to feel safe while travelling and should not have to witness intoxication, violence or bad behaviour,” he said.
“While our members acknowledge there is a certain element of risk to their role, the AFP will not tolerate any harm caused to members while performing their duties to keep travellers, airline and airport staff safe.”
A Jetstar spokesperson said it was a requirement for passengers to always follow the instructions of crew and comply with safety procedures, which included fastening seatbelts for landing.
“We will never tolerate disruptive behaviour onboard our aircraft or within the terminal and appreciate the ongoing assistance and support of the AFP,” they said.
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