A man has been charged with assaulting an airline crew member after he failed to resist the call of nature on a domestic flight.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The 59-year-old man from Queensland boarded a flight at Perth Airport on July 14.
He allegedly refused to follow crew members' instructions to take his seat as the plane was preparing for takeoff.
Insisting that he needed to use the bathroom, the man pushed a crew member, police said.
The alleged assault was reported to the flight captain, and Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers were called to remove the man from the plane.
Police said he was "uncooperative".
AFP Inspector Peter Brindal said violent behaviour towards staff was unacceptable.
"The AFP has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to the assault or mistreatment of airline staff, and anyone who commits such an offence can be prosecuted," he said.
The 59-year-old was charged with one count of assaulting a crew member and is expected to appear before Perth Magistrates Court on July 29.
The maximum penalty for the offence is 14 years' imprisonment.
Anna Houlahan
Anna Houlahan is a journalist for Explore and the Senior. Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au
