Perth Airport: Tantrum on plane lands drunk man in court after he ‘punched cabin crew member in the groin’

An airline passenger has been charged with assault after allegedly punching an airline employee in the groin during a drunken brawl at Perth Airport.

The 45-year-old passenger was arrested at Perth Domestic Airport on Friday evening after airline staff alerted federal police to his behaviour.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) said in a statement that the man became aggressive after it was decided to remove him from the plane to Brisbane because he was drunk.

The man allegedly turned to an airline crew member and hit him in the groin area with his hand.

It is further alleged that he swore in front of other passengers, including families with children.

The man was warned about his behavior, but was still said to be behaving disorderly.

The unruly passenger was flying from Perth to Brisbane but failed to exit the airport as AFP officers escorted him off the plane after he punched an airline worker in the groin

The man, who appeared in court on Saturday, had been drinking, according to police

He has since been charged with common assault and breach of the peace. He appeared in Perth District Court on Saturday.

The maximum penalty for each of these offenses is 18 months in prison and a $18,000 fine.

AFP Acting Chief Inspector Peter Brindal said there was zero tolerance for violent or abusive behaviour, especially towards airport staff.

“The AFP is committed to working closely with the aviation industry to intervene where someone’s behaviour endangers the safety of the public at or around an airport,” he said.