Former air stewardess gets suspended sentence after assaulting BA crew
A former air stewardess was given a suspended prison sentence after locking herself in a business class toilet and assaulting BA cabin crew.
American Brie Ann Johnson, 35, who was flying from New York to Heathrow to join her musician husband, had been drinking wine in the exclusive Club World upper deck on top of her anti-anxiety Zanax medication.
The cabin crew decided to take the toilet door off its hinges after she locked herself in and refused to open it.
Prosecutor Miss Pamela Reiss said she could not walk, was carried back to the galley and wet herself.
The passenger also threatened she was going to shoot the cabin crew in the face before assaulting BA cabin crew member, Craig Stoner and David Shaw.
Miss Johnson’s lawyer Miss Laura Hucknell said: "She has little, if any, memory of the incident, but was nervous and stressed when boarding and did not have anything to eat.
"She is terrified of the prospect of going into custody and has not slept since."
She pleaded guilty at Isleworth Crown Court on Thursday to being drunk on an aircraft and assaulting BA cabin crew staff Craig Stoner and David Shaw on August 3.
Johnson was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months, ordered to pay £2,000 compensation to Mr Stoner, £1,000 to Mr Shaw, £650 costs and an £80 victim surcharge.
Judge Robin Johnson said: "This was alarming and violent behaviour and violence in an airplane inevitably carries immediate imprisonment.
"By the skin of your teeth I have decided not to send you to prison."
Diane
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