Man admits drunken assault on Malaysia Airlines flight

A drunk and abusive airline passenger from Surrey has admitted assaulting cabin crew on a Malaysia Airlines flight from Kuala Lumpur.

Mayor Boris Johnson was on the same flight and attempted to calm down the man.

David Morris, 45, drank five double whiskies on the flight and unleashed a drink-fuelled tirade against cabin crew and even headbutted one flight attendant after they refused to serve him more alcohol, Get Surrey reports.

Prosecutor Izolda Switala-Gribbin said: "On a flight from Kuala Lumpur, Mr Morris was in first class travelling to London.

"Mr Morris had consumed a large quantity of alcohol. He bought approximately five double whiskies during the flight.

"He became disruptive towards fellow passengers and began pacing up and down the aircraft and demanding more drinks.

"At some point he was told he would not be served any more alcohol and that is when he started swearing and his behaviour became a lot more disruptive.

"He was offered some water by a member of the cabin crew. While drinking the water he pulled back the glass and let go of the glass and tried to punch it. He missed it but nearly hit a member of staff in the process."

Staff tried to restrain him but Morris became violent, reports the Guardian.

"Mr [Johari] Nordin was asked to assist in the restraining of the defendant and as he was trying to place plastic handcuffs on the defendant, he headbutted him. He was shocked and sustained swelling to his upper lips.

"When Mr Morris was eventually restrained he kept falling asleep and waking up, and each time he woke up he would scream", Switala-Gribbin told the court.

Morris pleaded guilty to assault by beating and being drunk on the Heathrow-bound flight on December 3.

Lance Whiteford, defending, said Morris was "horrified" at his behaviour.

He said: "I will say that appearing before you is a gentleman who is absolutely horrified at how he behaved on that occasion.

"He knows that staff, when carrying out their duties, should feel safe and do it without being abused or threatened.

"He has no recollection of this flight. He accepts he behaved the way alleged and he is absolutely horrified."

Morris is now due to be sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court on January 16.

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