News Jet2 passenger terrorised cabin crew and 'scared' holidaymakers after telling air hostess 'I'll smash your face'

Georgina Cutler

Guest Reporter
A Bradford man has been jailed for 14 months after terrorising cabin crew on a Jet2 flight from Turkey.

Jason Roddis, 37, threatened to "smash" the faces of staff members during the frightening incident last summer.



The court heard how Roddis became disruptive after an argument with his partner two hours into the night flight returning to Leeds Bradford Airport.

He was sentenced at Bradford Crown Court after pleading guilty to being drunk on an aircraft and other offences.



Jet2

Prosecutor Ben Sayers told the court that Roddis was being loud and using foul language during the flight.

Cabin crew discovered he had brought his own alcohol onboard, confiscating a nearly empty wine bottle.

Despite this, Roddis continued his disruptive behaviour and was found with a second wine bottle, which was also seized.

When staff attempted to give him a 'disruption notice', he ripped it up and threw it back.

Roddis told one crew member he would "smash her face in" and threatened another: "I'll smash your head in."

The pilot considered diverting the plane to remove Roddis but continued to Leeds Bradford Airport as they were only about 30 minutes away.

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Police officers were waiting to arrest Roddis upon landing.

"The defendant's behaviour lasted for over an hour," said Sayers.

While being taken into custody, he directed racial abuse towards one of the officers. He also caused damage to a police van during the arrest process.

Barrister Rebecca Young said Roddis had been in Turkey to look after his mother following a hip replacement operation.

She explained he suffered from severe anxiety and depression and had been unable to obtain his medication while abroad.

Roddis had 42 previous convictions for 89 offences.



JET2

He received 14 months imprisonment for the aircraft incidents, racial harassment and criminal damage.

The judge added a further four months to his sentence after Roddis admitted stealing a woman's handbag from a parked car in Bradford last December.

Recorder Patrick Palmer said Roddis had to understand that his behaviour on the plane constituted "very serious offending."

"It was quite plain that the staff were very frightened," the judge stated.

He added that Roddis should consider "the fear of other passengers trapped on the aeroplane" with him when he was "obviously out of control."

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