Man jailed for 5 weeks after harassing crew & passengers in drunken rage on Scoot flight

A man was sentenced to five weeks’ jail on May 14 over a case of drunken "air rage" during a Scoot flight from Sydney to Singapore on Feb. 27.

Kolathu James Leo, 42, pleaded guilty to boarding the flight intoxicated to the extent that he jeopardised the good order and discipline on the plane, reported CNA.

Two other charges of criminal force and harassment were taken into consideration for sentencing.

Leo, an Indian national residing in Canberra, was transiting through Singapore to India, where his uncle had passed away recently.

He had earlier consumed four shots of whiskey at home before heading to the Sydney airport.

Threatened to kill flight attendant

Soon after take-off, Leo got up from his seat while the seatbelt sign was still on, but obeyed the crew’s instructions to return, CNA reported.

However, back at his seat, he began to shout at his neighbouring passengers, and pushed one of them.

He was also said to have tried to detach a seat pocket and slammed a seat in front of him.

Cabin crew attempted to calm him down, but he turned aggressive towards them as well.

When he received a warning letter from the pilot, Leo reportedly crumpled it up without reading it.

He also grabbed a flight attendant’s wrist and threatened to kill him.

To prevent the situation from escalating further, crew members placed him under physical restraints.

He was later arrested after the plane landed at Changi Airport.

A blood test revealed that he had 96mg of ethanol per 100ml of blood.

Persisted in violent behaviour

According to CNA, at court on May 14, District Judge Janet Wang ruled that Leo’s conduct had significantly threatened the safety of the passengers and crew on board the plane.

She noted that air transport workers are vulnerable victims.

Unlike other modes of public transport, it would be challenging to get prompt assistance from law enforcement officers mid-flight.

For his sentencing, Wang also took into consideration that Leo persisted in his violent behaviour despite warnings.

Under the Singapore Air Navigation Act, a person convicted of this offence can be imprisoned for up to a year, fined up to S$20,000, or both.

For criminal force, he could have been jailed up to three months, fined up to S$1,500, or both.

For harassment, he could have been jailed up to six months, fined up to S$5,000, or both.

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