Honeymooner punches two attendants, goes on homophobic rant during flight

London Gatwick, March 15th, 2018: High perspective of baggage handlers picking up suitcases from a conveyor belt connected to an Airbus A320 easyJet airplane at London Gatwick's North Terminal

A newlywed has been sentenced to seven months in prison after going on a homophobic rant and punching two flight attendants.

The man had just boarded an EasyJet flight from Epsom, England to Egypt with his new wife for their honeymoon when a flight attendant asked him not to smoke his e-cigarette, International Business Times (ITB) reported.

Prosecutor Ryan Richter told Lewes Crown Court last week that the flight crew were alerted to the man’s behaviour when they noticed he was being louder than other passengers, after reportedly drinking four pints of beer before his flight.

After boarding the plane, the man began using an e-cigarette and hurled homophobic slurs at Andre Botha, the flight attendant who tried to stop him.

He then punched Bortha twice, which Bortha later told courts caused him to fear for his life.

Another flight attendant, Christopher Bogley, tried to calm the man and was also punched.

The man was removed from the flight and arrested, but his rampage didn’t stop there. Also called an officer a “baldy c***” and kicked and headbutted the inside of the squad car until he knocked himself out.

“Look at what you’ve done, you have f—– our honeymoon,” his wife reportedly shouted as they left the plane.

According to ITB Bogley told courts that although the man didn’t know his sexual orientation, he is a proud gay man.

“It is not a lifestyle choice, it is natural and no one deserves to be discriminated against for their sexuality,” he said.

“Many people struggle with it, and deal with mental health problems on a daily basis. His remarks to me were personal. If he travels again, my hope is that he will treat people with respect and acknowledge that he lives in a diverse society which is something that should be embraced, not ridiculed.”

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