UK jails “worst ever” passenger for flight rampage

Jasbir Singh Bharaj, the 46-year-old British man who disrupted an Emirates flight on September 16 last year, has been sentenced to prison for his aggressive behaviour.

Statue of Justice, Old Bailey, London. Image by Ronnie Macdonald / CC BY 2.0

During court proceedings this month, Bharaj was found guilty of drunkenness on an aircraft, criminal damage, racially aggravated words and behaviour, and common assault. In giving his sentence, Judge Burbridge QC told the man from Leicester, “People need to know that if you get drunk on an airplane, upset other passengers and cause cabin crew to have a difficult job then custodial sentences apply.”

Bharaj became drunk on vodka and wine during a flight from Dubai to Birmingham, prompting flight attendants to refuse to serve him any more alcohol. Bharaj launched into a verbal tirade that quickly escalated into more shocking behaviour. During his fit of fury Bharaj threatened to punch a female flight attendant, rubbed wine on his genitals, launched into a racist rant against Muslims, and caused over ₤2500 worth of damage to the in-flight entertainment system.

Disruption on an Emirates plane. Image by BriYYZ / CC BY-SA 2.0

Upon being escorted off the plane, his behaviour continued to deteriorate. Bharaj lashed out at the arresting officers, referring to them as ‘white wankers’ and ‘white bastards’, then proceeded to bite PC Ingram in the police car. In giving evidence, one member of staff called Bharaj the “worst passenger he had ever encountered.” The defending council claimed Bharaj, who was returning home from a visit to his estranged wife in Thailand, was “ashamed and remorseful for his actions”.

Bharaj has been sentenced to eleven months in prison.