Woman found guilty over 'mutual masturbation' sex act on plane

A woman has been found guilty of committing an indecent act in public by engaging in a sexual act with a man during an Air Canada flight.

Alicia Elizabeth Lander was found guilty in the incident that occurred on 24 January 2014, and was also found guilty of causing a disturbance, assaulting a police officer and property mischief.

She had been flying from Toronto to Halifax when the incident occurred.

Lander told the court she had met Jason George Chase, 40, in the bar at Edmonton airport. She said she drank 10 shots of whisky before boarding the plane because she had felt depressed.

The pair asked to sit together, and, after consuming more shots of whisky, engaged in a sexual act in their seats.

John Dunn, who was service director for Air Canada Flight 610, said she was found with her underwear around her ankles and a coat covering her lap.

According to the Daily Mail, Judge Timothy Gabriel said: "The parties were engaged in actions that were described by Mr Dunn ... as mutual masturbation."

The Chronicle Herald reports that Judge Gabriel added: "It was self-indulgent, selfish behaviour by two intoxicated persons on a plane.

"It was done in a manner with complete disregard for the rights of other passengers ... who did not wish to view that type of behaviour. It was off the wall and it was something that people on the plane had a right to expect would not occur."

The pair were met by police officers at the arrivals gate and arrested.

Ms Lander reportedly screamed profanities at the Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers, and reportedly kicked a wall in an interview room.

Lander took to the stand in her own defence, and said she was "ashamed" of what happened, adding that she could not remember the incident on the plane or the arrest afterwards.

She also said she'd had no idea that Chase was married and that his wife was waiting for him at Halifax Airport.

Lander will be sentenced on 14 July.

Mr Chase was also charged with committing an indecent act. He pleaded guilty in January and will be sentenced in June.