Newlywed husband ruined dream honeymoon to Santorini when he drunkenly refused to stop vaping and was thrown off plane

A newlywed husband ruined his dream honeymoon with his wife after drunkenly refusing to quit vaping on a holiday plane, a court has heard.

Christopher Thomson was set to take his new wife Jenna for a romantic getaway to the Greek island of Santorini last September.

However, the 43-year-old was thrown off the flight before take-off at Manchester Airport and arrested after ignoring repeated requests from Jet2 airline staff to stop vaping on board the plane.

As his bride Jenna looked on, Thomson, who was said to have glassy eyes and foaming at the mouth, also became irate and told the captain to 'f*** off' before being escorted off the plane.

Manchester Crown Court heard his antics caused the flight to be delayed at Manchester Airport and the return journey was canceled as the crew were unable to man the flight.

When Cheshire was questioned by police, Thomson, a window fitter from Warrington, insisted he had not sworn at the captain out of anger but had sworn out of 'annoyance' after seeing the 'look of disappointment and fear' on his man's face woman had seen.

It emerged that he had been drinking heavily in the departure lounge in the run-up to the incident as his flight had been delayed, the court heard.

The incident occurred on September 16 after Thomson and his wife boarded the plane at Terminal One two months after their wedding.

Prosecutor Tobias Collins said: 'The defendant was spotted by staff on the plane while vaping and was told to stop. Staff said he was clearly drunk at the time and did not stop.

“The captain determined he was a safety risk and went to talk to him, but he still didn't stop and told the captain to 'F*** off.' As a result of his behavior, a flight was eventually canceled due to the delay caused.

“When police arrived, they encountered the suspect and he was arrested.”

Mr Collins said that in response to the warning he told officers they could not do that because he was on his honeymoon.

“He was handcuffed,” Mr Collins said. 'He shouted from the airlift to his partner for ten minutes to film the incident and tell a lawyer. He cursed and shouted several times.

'Crimes committed in the air are more serious than crimes committed on the ground. It is noted that the plane was on the ground.

'However, the act did take place in a confined space of an aircraft. There appears to be no evidence of physical violence.

'In the court's opinion, the Crown is asking for compensation for Jet2. The court does not know how much this cost. An officer told staff it would cost thousands of pounds but that's just rumours.'

Thomson's barrister Alistair Reid said: 'There is no evidence of any concern, fear or anxiety being caused to passengers. This was the observed use of vapor on an aircraft.

“I'm not trying to excuse that and Mr Thomson understands how inappropriate that was. He was approached by an employee and he continued to use his vape. There is no discussion about that.

“But there was a second-hand comment attributed by the officer to the flight crew that was not taken from the captain himself.

'He was told to get off the plane because he had used the vape. He was frustrated by this, but he obeyed. He then went to the front of the plane. He was ashamed that he was flying with his wife on their honeymoon.

'When he got to the airlift he used the words 'F*** off' to the captain.

“He says it wasn't in an aggressive manner, but more out of annoyance when he realized things had escalated when he saw the police.”

Reid added: 'There is a clear difference between someone shouting these words insultingly and deliberately at a person in a position of responsibility, rather than a comment made, albeit in a state of intoxication, in annoyance.

“The reason for using the vape: the flight was already delayed, he had spent the extra time consuming alcohol, more than he expected, and they were in a good mood. Because of the additional delay, the defendant instinctively reached for his vape and continued to use it.

'It was poor judgment, partly due to his alcohol consumption. There were no threats of violence, resistance or abuse of other passengers.

'He was very frank with the probation service. He is mortified by what he did, not following the directions and proper request of the flight crew. He rightly regrets it.

'The comment to the captain was not only because he realized he saw the police there, but also because he saw his wife's face and the disappointment and fear he caused her. He has taken full responsibility.

'The officer in charge said, regarding what he said on the airlift, that he shouted at his partner to film the incident and get him a lawyer. He accepted what happened, he just made sure he would be represented when he got to the police station.

'He is normally a very responsible and respectable man, works as a window fitter, is married and has two daughters. He has a number of relatives in Mallorca, including his father. This incident has caused him significant difficulty in flying there.”

At Manchester Crown Court, Thomson pleaded guilty to being drunk on an aircraft and was sentenced to ten weeks in prison, suspended for twelve months.

At sentencing, Judge Miss Recorder Jennifer Cleeve Thomson also ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work and pay costs of £510.

She told him: 'You were seen on board going in and out of the toilet several times. You refused to stop after the staff asked you to stop.

'It could have caused serious danger or consequences to the health of other passengers.

'It must have been terrifying for other passengers who saw smoke on the plane before they even took off.

'The captain came to talk to you and you said to him: 'F*** off'. Your version is the one after you were told to get off the plane.

“Due to your behavior and concerns about the safety risk, the aircraft had to return to its base.”

The judge added: 'You are trapped in a tube in the sky and the safety of other passengers may well be at risk simply because of a relatively minor incident that could have catastrophic consequences that may be unforeseen.

“You caused major costs to the airline and ignored the health and safety of passengers by vaping and continuing to vape, in a confined space, in close proximity to other passengers who could not escape. You insulted the airline staff and the captain.

'The airline was unable to operate the return flight. There was inconvenience to passengers on your flight and on the return flight. As for mitigating factors, it appears you are remorseful.

“You told the probation officer you were absolutely shocked. No doubt you will also be angry because you ruined your honeymoon.

'You told the probation service that you had generally reduced your alcohol consumption. You said you would reduce your alcohol intake on the plane and that you would definitely not vape anymore.

“You have been punished to some extent by the airline and you have also been punished for not being able to go on your honeymoon.

'There is no suggestion that you abused passengers on board, but you drew attention to yourself through the vapor and not through drunken and aggressive behaviour.'

Account manager Jenna, who sat outside the courtroom with a grim face during the entire procedure, supports him.

Jet2 banned him from flying with them for 12 months.