Steven Meek (34), of Canton Court in Belfast, committed the assault on Saturday, October 21 last year. Antrim Magistrates' Court, sitting in Ballymena, on Tuesday, was told the defendant had a criminal record in Scotland. Advertisement Advertisement Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to NorthernIrelandWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.
The court heard the assault happened at 12.30am on an easyJet flight bound for Liverpool which was at Stand 4 at Belfast International Airport. It had been delayed and the defendant began to shout and became abusive to crew.
The prosecutor said passengers asked for him to be removed. A cabin manager approached the defendant who stood up and punched him in the face causing pain to his jaw. The defendant was escorted out of the airport by police.
When interviewed the defendant expressed remorse but claimed he was responding to "provocation", the prosecutor said. Advertisement Advertisement The court heard the defendant is originally from Scotland and had convictions from courts there. A defence solicitor said the defendant now lives and works in Northern Ireland as a joiner.
The lawyer quoted from a letter of apology the defendant had penned which in which he had expressed his "disgust" at his actions on the flight. The defendant wrote that the cabin crew were only doing their jobs and he accepts his actions were "nothing short of appalling". Advertisement Advertisement In the letter, Meek claimed "fat.
